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BY THE
REV. JOHN O'HANLON, M.R.I.A,
Vol. II.
Dublin: James Duffy and Sons, 15 Wellington-quay, and
la Paternoster-row, London.
London: Burns, Gates, and Co, 17 & 18 Portman-street, and
6s Paternoster-row, E.G.
New York : The Gatholic Publishing Society,
9 Warren-street.
lall eights reserved.]
hi- v«
v.a.
JOSEPH DOLLARD, PRINTER, I3 & 14 DAME-STREET, DUBLIX.
CONTENTS.
jft'rst ©ap of jfrtruarg*
Pasre
Article I.— Life of St. Brigid, Virgin, First Abbess of Kildare, Special
Patroness of Kildare Diocese, and General Patroness
of Ireland. \^Fifth and Sixth Centuries.}
Chap. I. — Introduction — Author's Plan and Treatment — Autho-
rities, ancient and modern, for the Life of St.
Brigid — Critical Remarks — The Holy Virgin's '
Parentage — Place and Date of her Birth ... i
Chap. II. — The Scotch Claim to St. Brigid's Birth examined —
Probable Origin of this Error— Refutation — Early
and supernatural Indications of Brigid's Sanctity —
Her Spirit of Prophecy manifested — Pier infantile
Virtues — Her probable Acquaintance with St.
Patrick during Childhood — Her Resolution to live
a Virgin — Her Characteristics and Comparison to
the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Irish ... 33
Chap. III. — Statement regarding St. Brigid's Parents— Her
personal and mental Attractions during her early
Youth — Alleged Treatment by her Parents — Her
great Charity towards the Poor — Brought before
Dunlaing, King of Leinster — His Admiration of her
Virtues — Her Resolution to embrace a Religious
Life — A Suitor proposes Marriage Avith Assent of
her Family — She rejects this Offer — Her Religious
Profession, and Opinions advanced relative to it —
Probable Time and Place— Establishment of St.
Brigid's first Religious House — She selects the
Beatitude of Mercy for her special Practice — Her
Miracles ... ... ... 49
Chap. IV.— Remarkable Manifestations of Providence in St.
Brigid's Regard — She cures many diseased and
afflicted Persons — Pier Bounties and Hospitality —
She visits St. Ibar — Bishop Mel's religious Intimacy
with St. Brigid— Her Miracles in Theba or Tefifia—
Said to have met St. Patrick at Tailtin — Her Power
over Demons ... ... ... 67
Chap. V. — At St. Lasara's Convent St. Brigid works Miracles —
Her Excursion to Munster with Bishop Ere — The
Holy Abbess visits Connaught — Her Labours and
Austerities while there — The People of Leinster •
request her to return — She complies, and re-crosses
the Shannon — She resolves on building her great
Establishment at Kildare ... ... 77
Chap. VI. — Kings of Ireland in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries —
Condition of Leinster after the Middle of the Fifth
Century — Kildare — Period when selected by St.
Brigid for her chief Monastery — Gradual Growth
and Importance of the Place — Instances of her
Protection ... ... ... 93
Chap, VII.— St. Brigid's Intimacy with St. Patrick— Armagh-
Foundation of St. Brigid there — Her Miracles —
Vision regarding St. Patrick's last Resting-place —
Her Spirit of sublime Recollection and her great
Charity— She desires the Introduction of the Roman
Rite for Ireland ... ... ... 104
CONTENTS.
Page
Chai'. VIII. — lUand, the warrior Prince of Leinster — St. Brigid
visits her Father, Dubtach, and protects his Family —
Favours acconied to the Holy Abbess — She visits
King lUand and blesses him — The Victories of this
Dynast overbid Enemies— The Borumha Laighean —
Wars throughout Ireland during St. BrigiU's Life-
time— Death ol King lUand— Victory obtained after
his Death by the Lagenians, through the special
Protection of St. Brigid ... ... 11$
Chap. IX. — Diflferent Places called Kilbride, on the Eastern and
South -Eastern Coast of ancient Leinster, where the
Holy Abbess may have lived— St. Brigid and St.
Senan— St. Ikigid restores a Cripple— An insane
Man — Various Miracles which were wrought through
her Merits — She prevents Bloodshed between Conall
and Cairbre — She saves Conall from his Enemies... I28
Chap. X. — Ancient Irish Hospitality— Bishop Broon's Visit to
St. Brigid — The Eight Bishops of Tullach na
n-Espuc — Holy Brigid's Love for the Poor — Her
generous good nature — Her Gentleness of Manner —
Illustration of such Characteristics — Her Chaplain,
Natfroich — St. Ninnidh— St. Conleath appointed
Bishop of Kildare ... ... 14°
Chap. XI. — St. Brigid's Benignity and Prudence — Rewards
miraculously bestowed on the Poor and on her En-
tertainers— St. Hinna— Miraculous Occurrences —
St. Daria's Sight partially restored— P'aith in St.
Brigid's Intercession justified ... ... 154
Chap. XII.— The Disciples of St. Brigid— Her holy Contem-
poraries— She obtains Pardon for a Man unjustly
condemned to Death — The Drovers and Swine
escape from Wolves — St. Brigid protects a young
Lady, who wished to be a Nmi — She relieves the
Road-makers — Other remarkable Occurrences ... 159
Chap. XIII. — St. Brigid's reputed Residence at Glastonbury—
The early Practice of Writing and Illuminating in
Ireland — Writings ascribed to St. Brigid — The
conventual Rule and Discipline, under which herself
and her Nuns lived — Her Charity in relieving the
Poor — Her Modesty, her self-sacrificing Spirit, her
Liberality, her Gifis of Mind and Person, her Powers
for healing the Sick and Infirm, her VigUs, and her
Care for Subjects ... ... 169
Chap. XIV. — Vision of St. Brigid regarding her approaching
Death — Her Preparation — St. Nennid administers
the last Sacraments to her — The Year and Day of
St. Brigid's Departure— The Place where it oc-
curred— Kildare and its religious Foundations —
St. Brigid's Shrine and Relics — Honour paid to
her Memory ... ... ... 177
Chap. XV. — Miracles wrought at Kildare after St. Brigid's
Death — The Falcon — St. Brigid's Relics are re-
moved to Down — Remarkable Discovery of the
Bodies of St. Patrick, St. Brigid and St. Columkille
in that City — Solemn Translation to a magnificent
Tomb — Kildare and its Traditions — Deseciation of
holy Remains at Down — Reputed Removal of St.
Brigid's Head to Austria, and afterwauls to Lisbon 186
Chap. XVI.— Ancient Churches, Chapels, religious Institutions,
and Places dedicated to, or cnlled after, St. Brigid,
in Ireland — Holy Wells and Objects associated with
her Memory — Modern Churches, Chapels, and
Convents, dedicated to her — Religious Orders placed
under her Patronage ... ... 193
Chap. XVII.— Churches and religious Institutes dedicated to St.
Brigid, in the British Islands, in ancient and modem
Times, as also on the Continent of Europe, and in
CONTENTS.
Page
America — Festivals, Commemorations, OtTices,
Hymns, Relics, Usages, and popular Memorials,
referring to her — Conclusion ... ... 211
Article II. — St. Derlugdacha, Virgin, and Second Abbess of Kildare. \FiJth a/id
Sixth Centuries] ... ..■ -. 225
Article III.— St. Cinnia, Keine, Cinni, Kinnia, or Cinne, Virgin, of Druim-
Duhliain, near Clogher. [Fifth Century.] ... ... 228
Article IV.— St. Brigid, Virgin, Patroness of the Church of Opacum, at Fiesole,
Italy. [jVinth Century.] ... ... ... 234
Article v.— St. C atan, Cathand, or Caddan, Bishop. [Possiily in the Fijth or
Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 238
Article VI.— St. Prnccordius, of Veliaand of Corbie, in Picardy, France. {Pro-
bably in the Fifth and Sixth Centuries.] ... ... 244
Article VII. — St. Aireannan, Mac Ui Oidhibh, or Foduibh ... ... 245
Article VIII..— St. Mochealloc ... ... ... 246
Article IX.— St. Beoin or Beon, Virgin ... ... ... 246
^fcontr Bap of jfefiruarp*
Article I. — St. Columban, Abbot and Recluse, at Ghent, Belgium.
[Tenth Century.] ... ... ... 246
Article II. — St. JoUathan, of the Desert ... ... ... 249
Article III. — St. Eriulph, Bishop of Verden and Martyr, in Saxony. [Ninth
Century.] ... ... ... ... 250
Article IV. — St. Findeach Duimd, Bishop of Cill-Finnche, at Ath-Duirn, in
Ossory Diocese, and County of Kilkenny ... ... 254
Article v.— St. Colman ... .,. ... ... 261
Article VI.— St. Aithmet, Bishop of Clogher, County of Tyrone. [Probably in
the Sixth, Seventh or Ei_i^hth Century.] ... ... 26 1
Article VIT. — St. Mothrianoc, Son of ^ngus, of Rusgach ... ... 262
Article VIII. — St. Colman ... ... ... ... 262
Article IX.— Feast of St. Laurence, an Irish Bishop. [Twelfth Century.'] ... 263
Article X. — Festival of a reputed St. Fiudech, Virgin ... ... 263
Cfiirtr Bap of jfefiniarp^
Article I.— St. Anatolius, Bishop of Salins, France.
Chap. I. — Introduction — Change of Irish Names — Various
Opinions of Writers regarding St. Anatolius— Born
in Ireland — He becomes a Bishop there— He Visits
Rome, and return? through France ... 263
Chap. II. — St. Anatolius settles at Salins — Description of the
Place — St. Anatolius lives there for a short
Period — His Death — Veneration paid to his
Memory — Miracles after his Departure— Conclusion 266
Article II. — Feast of St. Colman mac Duach, Bishop and Patron of Kilmacduagh
Diocese. [Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 269
Article III.— St, Fothadh II., Archbishop of Scotland. [Eleventh Century.] ... 272
Article IV. — St. Cuanan or Cuanna, surnamed Glinn, or Glinne, Abbot of
Moville, County of Down. [Eighth Century.] ... ... 275
Article V.— Reputed Feast of St. Macliegus, Bishop ... ... 276
Article VI. — Festival of Saints Felix and Symphronius ... ... 277
Article VII.— Feast of the Translation uf St. Waldetrude's Relics ... 277
Article VIII. — St. Caoilfionn, Virgin ... ... ... 277
Article IX.— Festival of St. Tarahata or Attracta, Virgin ... ... 277
jfourtf) Bap of jfthniarp.
Article I.— St. Cuanna, Abbot of Kill-cuanna, or Kilcoona, County op
Galway, [Seventh Century.]
CONTENTS.
Page
Chap. I. — Introduction— St. Cuanna's natal Place and Family —
His early Education — His Religious Life ... 278
Chap. II, — St. Cuanna is thought to have compiled Irish
Annals — His Settlement at Kilcoonagh — Descrip-
tion of the Ruins there— Miracles of St. Cuanna —
His Death — His Festival — Conclusion ... 282
Article II.— St. Modan, Abbot, and St. Medan, in Scotland. [Probably in the
Eighth or Ninth Centj/ry.] ... ... ... 288
Article III. — St. Lomman, of Lough Gill, County of Sligo. [Sixth Century.'\ ... 295
Article IV. — The Blessed Rabanus Maurus, or Raban-Maur, Abbot of Fulda,
and Archbishop of Mayence, Germany. [Eighth and Ninth
Centiti-ies.'\ ... ... ... ... 300
Article V.— Reputed Festival of St. Gille, or Gillibert. [Eleventh and Twelfth
Centuries.] ... ... ... ... 322
Article VI.— St. Fuidhbheach, Son of Cillin, or Fuidbech mac Illadon ... 33G'
Article VII.— Feast of St. Tarahata or Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County
of Sligo. [Fifth or Sixth Century.] ... ... 336
Article VIII. —St. Cearan of Tamlacht Gliadh, in Glenree, Upper Iveagh,
County Down ... ... ... ... 336
Article IX. — St. Core, of Druim-Lomain ... ... ... 337
Article X. — Reputed Festival of St. Fursey, Abbo* at Perrone, in France.
[Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 337
Article XL— St. Cota, of Druim, or Druim Lomain ... ... 337
jfitti) laap of jfebnuirp*
Article I.—St. Buo, Missionary in Iceland. [Ninth Century.]
CUAP. I. — Introduction — Physical Peculiarities of Iceland —
Character of the Petjple— Early Name and Coloniz.i-
tion of Iceland — Irish Christians among the first
Inhabitants— Description of the Island, by the Irish
Geographer, Dicuill — The Norwegians settle in
Iceland — Icelandic Institutions and Literature
Chap. II. — St. Ernulph, an Irish Christian, associated with St.
Buo, and Ilclgo Biola, while planting the Faith in
Iceland — A Church there erected to St. Columb,
after the Destruction of a pagan Temple — Period
when St. Buo flourished — Subsequent History of
Iceland, and Condition of its Inhabitants — Pre-
fecture of the Arctic Missions — Conclusion
Article II.—- St. Indract, with his Sister St. Dominica, and his Companions,
Avho were Martyrs. [During- the Seventh or Eighth Century.] ... 349
Article III. — St. Finghin, Son of Odliran Feabhla, or of Metz, in France. [Fro-
badly in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries.] ... ... 354
Article IV.— St. Dubhthach, Priest, Son of Dubhan ... ... 357
Article V. — St. Cera, Virgin, of Raith Moentich ... ... 35S
Article VI. — St. Liadnan, Abbot of Fobhar, or Fore, County of Wcstmeath ... 35S
Article VII.— St. Baothan, Son of Colman ... ... ... 359
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St, Modan ... ... 359
Article IX.— St. Eachtach or Hechtach, Virgin ... ... 359
Article X.— Festival of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr. [Third Century.] ... 359
Bivti) jaap of jfeliriiaiin
344
Article I.— St. Mel, or Melchuo, Bishop and Patron of Ardagh Dio-
cese. [Fifth Century.]
Chap. I. — Introduction — Parentage and Connexions of St. Mel —
His Mission in Ireland and Consecration — Bishop
and Abbot at Ardagh — His Prophecies — Vindica-
tion of St. Mel's and of St. Lupita's Characters ... 360
Chap. II. — St. Brigid's Intimacy with Bishop Mel— Absurd
CONTENTS.
Pate
Misstatements of certain Writers noticed— St. Mel
a Disciple of St. Patrick— Said to have written the
Irish Apostle's Acts — Death of St. Mel— His f'es-
tival — l"he Cathedral and College dedicated to St.
Mel at Longford — Conclusion .. ... 364
Article II. — Reputed Festival of St. Melcu or Moelchuo, supposed to be a Bishop
ofArdagh ... ... ... ... 367
Article III. — Reputed Festival of St. Munis, Bishop of Forgney, County of
Longford. \_Fifth Ccnttiiy.'\ ... ... ... 36S
Article IV. — Reputed Festival of St. Rioch, Abbot of Inis-Bofinde, Lough Ree,
County of Longford. [Fifth Century.'] ... ... 369
Article V. — St. Plnian, or Mael-Finnia, of St. Patrick's Island, near Skerries,
County of Dublin, [Ninth Centuiy.l ... ... 369
Article VI. — St. Dura, Son of Colum, Bishop, of Drum-cremha ... 374
Article VII. — Saints Brandubh and Coluim, of Loch Muinremhair ... 374
Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Fursey. [Seventh Century.] ... 374
Article IX. — Festival of a reputed St. Ronau or Ronanus. [Supposed to have
lived in the Srjenth Century.] ... ... ... 375
Article X, — St. Merinus, a Monk, in Scotland ... ... ... 375
Article XL — Reputed Feast of St. Alto, Abbot of Alt-Munster, in Bavaria.
[Eighth Century.] ... ... ... 376
^tbmtt) Bap ot jfebniarp*
Article I.— St. Tressan, or Tresan, Confessor, at Avenay, France.
[Fifth and Sixth Centuries.]
Chap. I. — Introduction — Nationality of St. Tressan— Acts a.id
Lives — Brothers and Sisters of St. Tressan — He
leaves Ireland for France — His First humble
Occupation there — Opposition to the' Saint, and
Vindication of his Innocence ... ... 3; 6
Chap. II. — St. Tressan is ordained Priest — His Virtues — His
• Residence at Marvilie — His Labours and Manner
of living— Miracles at Murigny— His last Illness
and Death— Disposal of his Remains — His Festival,
Office and Memorials —Conclusion ... 380
Article II. — St. Lomman, of Portloman, County of Westmeath. [Sixth Century,] 383
Article III. — St, Augulus, Augurius, or Augulius, Bishop of Augusta, in Britain.
[Third or Fourth Century.] ... ... ... 387
Article IV. — St, Medan, Mellan, Meldan, or Meallan Mac Ui Cuinn, of Inis
Mac-Ui-Cuinn, now Inchiquin, in Loch Oirbsen, now Lough.
Corrib, County of Gal way. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.] ... 391
Article V. — St. Aid, Aedh, or Aldus, Bishop of Sieaty, Queen's County. [Seventh
Century.] ... ... ... ... 394
Article VI. — St. Ronan, Bishop and Confessor, Scotland. [Seventh Century.] ... 395
Article VII. — Saints Lonan, Criotan and Miolan, called likewise, the three Sons
of Daire, of Moin-Miolain, perhaps, INIonamolin, County of Wex-
ford ... ... ... ... 397
Article VIII. — St. Brigid, Daughter of Doma or Droma ... ... 398
Article IX.— St, Colman, Bishop ... ... ... 399
Article X.— St. Colman, Bishop ... ... ... 399
Article XL— St. Fionntain, Priest, of Clonkeen, probably Kill of the Grange,
County Dublin ... ... ... 399
Article XII. — St. Maenucan or Maonacan, of Ath-liag, or Ath-league, County of
Roscommon ... ... ... ... 401
Article XIII. — Reputed Festival of a St. Cormac, Junior, Bishop of Trim. [Said
to have lived in the Eighth Century,] ... ... 401
Article XIV.— Reputed Festival of St. Altho, Founder of Alt-Munster, Bavaria.
[Eighth Century.] ... ... ... 40 1
(Si'sfitl) Bap of jfefiiniarp*
Article I.— St. Oncho, or Onchuo, Confessor, of Clonmore, County of
Carlow. [Sixth or Seventh Century,]
CONTENTS.
' Page
Chap. I. — Introduction — St. Onchuo's Birth-place and Family —
Doublful Statements regarding him — His Study of
Poetry and Antiquities — He visits St. Finian the
Leper — Desire to collect the Relics o( Irish Saints —
St. Onchuo's Travels for this Purpose ... 402
ChAP.II. — St.Onchuo arrives at Clonmore — His Request preferred,
to the Abbot, St. Maidoc— A Miracle — St. Onchuo's
Death and Burial, at Clonmore — Time when he
flourished — Notices of him, in the Calendars —
Conclusion ... ... ... 406
Article II. — St. Mac Liac or Mac Liag, Bishop of Liath-Dromma or Leitrim ... 409
Article III. — St. Trenog or Ternoc, Anchorite, on the West of the River Barrow 410
Article IV. — St. Failbhe, of Erdomh ... ... ... 410
Article v.— St. Ruidhche or Ruidche, Virgin ... ... ... 411
Article VI. — St. Cera, Virgin .. ... ... ... 411
Article VII.— St. Fiachra, Abbot of Congbhail Gleanna Suilighe, or Conwall,
County of Donegal ... ... ... 412
Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Tressan, or Tresan, Confessor, at Avenay,
France. [Sixth Century. '\ ... ... ... 413
Article IX.— Reputed Festival of St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburgh. [Eighth
Century.] ... ,., ... ... 413
Article X.— St. Colman, Mac-Ui-7ealduibh, Bishop, and Abbot of Clonard,
County of Meath. [Sixth or Seventh Century.] .. 414
Article XI. —Reputed Festival of Saints Gislarius, a Priest, and Chunibaldus,
Companions of St. Rupert, Bishop of Saltzburgh, Bavaria.
[Sixth or Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 414
Article XII.— Reputed Festival of St. Giinibald, Martyr and Pilgrim, Italy.
[Fifth Century.] ... ... ... 414
^mtft JDap of jftiniarp*
Article I.— The Blessed Marianus Scotus, or St. Muiredhac, Mac
RoBAKTAiG, Benedictine Abbot of Ratisbon, Bavaria.
[Eleventh Century. \
Chap. I.— Introduction — Acts of Marianus Scotus— His family
Name and Origin — His early Education and Dis-
positions— He leaves Ireland, with some Com-
panions— Marianus arrives in Germany, and settles
in Ratisbon — His Course of Studies antl Exercises
there — A Miracle regarding him recorded ... 415
Chap. II. — The Blessed Marianus proposes to resume his Pilgrim-
age— He is miraculously warned to remain at
Ratisbon — The Writings of Marianus — He obtains
a Grant of St. Peter's Church, and Means to erect
a Monastery there — Disciples seek him out from
Ireland — Dispersion ol his Companions - His feast
Day and Death — Miracle at his Tomb — Irish
Monasteries founded after his Time, in Germany —
Conclusion ... ... 421
Article II.— St. Cronan, the Wise, Bishop. [Sixth Century.] ... ... 428
Article III. — Cruimther Finne, of Druim Licce, now probably Drumlease, County
of Leitrim ... ... ... 433
Article IV.— Festivd of the Second Deposition of St. Fursey's Relics. [Seventh
Century.] .. ... ... ... 437
Article V.— St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County of Meath. [Possibly
in the Seventh Century.] ... .. .. 442
Article VI. — St. Caireach or Cairec Dergain, Virgin of Cluain- Boirinn, now Clon-
barren, Parish of Moore, County of Roscommon. [Sixth
Century.] ... ... ... ... 443
Article VII.— St. Ronan, Bishop of Lismore. [Possibly in the Eighth Century.] 444
Article VIII.— St. Attracta, Virgin, of Killaraght, County of Sligo. [Fifth or
Sixth Century.] .. ... ... 444
Article IX.— Feast of St. Tnrahata. [Probably in the Fifth or Sixth Century.] .. 445
Article X.— Feast o St. Eada, a Priest. [Possibly in the Sixth or Seventh
Century.] ... ... ... ... 445
CONTENTS.
Page
Article XL— Reputed Feast of St. Erhard, Bishop of Ratisbon. \_Sevinth
Century.'] ... ... ... ... 445
Article XII, — Reputed Festival of Blessed Magilmumensis ... ... 446
Article XIII. — St. Alto, Bishop and Founder of Altminster, in Bavaria. {Eighth
Cenluty] ... ... ... ... 446
Article XIV.— Reputed Festival of St. Trumwin, Bishop of the Picts. [Sevenlh
Century. 1 ... ... ... ... 446
Centl) 3Bap of jfebruarp^
Article I.— St. Cronan, or Mochua, Abbot, and Patron of Clashmore
Parish, County of Waterford. {Sixth and Seventh Cen-
turies ^
Chap. I. — Introduction— Acts of St. Cronan, or St. Mochua —
His Parentage and Birth — His Religious Profession
under St. Carthage — Placed over Cluain-Dachran —
St. Cronan removes to I-ismore with St. Carthage —
He is appointed to rule a Community, at Glass-
more, or Clashmore ... ... 447
Chap. II. — Doubt regarding St. Cronan's Connexion with Glass-
more, near Swords— Another St. Cronan and his
Monks thought to have been martyred there by the
Danes — Notices of his Festival, by the Calen-
darists — Clashmore Abbey suppressed, and its
Lands granted to Sir Walter Raleigh — Conclusion 449
Article II. — St. Sillan or Siollan, Bishop of Glendalough, County of Wicklow.
{Probably diiritig the Seventh or Eighth Century. ] ... 452
Article III. — Reputed Festival of a Blessed Ingenoc, Abbot of St. Bertin, France. 453
Article IV.— The Blessed Muireadhach O'Cobhthaich, Bishop of Ardstraw.
{Twelfth Century. ] ... ... ... 453
Article V.— Reputed Feast of a St. Kilian, at Kilcullsheen, or Kilkilihine, County
Kilkenny ... ... ... ... 455
Article VI. — St. Airennan, Bishop of Tallagh, County of Dublin. {Eighth
Century.] ... ... ... ' ... 455
Article VII. — St. .Moduit of Cill Moduit, in Hy-Maine, County of Galway. ... 456
Article VIII. — Reputed Festival of St. Erlulph, Bishop of Verden, and Martyr.
{Ninth Century.] ... ... ... 456
Article IX. — St. Becga, or Bega, Virgin, and Daughter of Gabhran. [Probably
in the Filth Century.] ... ... ... 45^
Article X.— St. Derlugha, or Darluga, Virgin, of Lemmagh, now probably Lawny
or Lavvoy, County oi Cavan ... ... ... 457
Article XL — St. Trumwin or Tumma, Bishop of the Southern Picts. {Seventh
Century.] ... ... ... ... 459
(SItbentfi JDap of jfebruarp^
Article I.— St. Gobnata or Gobnet, Virgin, and Abbess ofBurneach, ok
Ballyvourney, County of Cork. {Sixth Century.]
Chap. I. — Introduction — Descent of St. Gobnet — St. Abban
places her over a Community, at I ballyvourney —
Legend relative to her Sister — Traditions regard-
ing St. Gobnet — Her Establishment at Ballyvourney 46^
Chap. IL — Antiquities at Ballyvourney — St. Gobnat's Virtues
and Death — Legends relating to her — Places and
Objects dedicated to her Memory — Her Festival —
Conclusion ... ... ... 466
Article IL— St. Etchaenius, Eichen, Ecian or Echen, Bishop and Patron of
Cluain-Foda, now Clonfad, Parish of Killucan, County of ^^ est-
meath. {Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 470
Article III. — St Canoe or Mochonoc, Pilgrim, and Abbot of Gallen, King's
County, and of Killmuccraisse. {Fijth or Sixth Century.] ... 475
CONTENTS.
Page
Article IV. — St. Duban, Priest and Pilgrim, at Rath Dubhain, or Rinn Dubhain,
now Hook, County of Wexford. [^Fi/th or Sixth Century.'] ... 478
Article V. — St. Cognat, Virgin, of Eamaidhe, or Umey ... ... 479
Article VI. — St. Jarlath or Hierlkth, Arclibishop of Armagh. [Fifth Century.} ... 481
Article VII.— St. Dicull ... ... ... ... 484
Article VIII. — St. Lappan, Son of Ciaran ... ... ... 484
Article IX.— St. Brigid, Virgin ... ... ... 484
Article X.— St. Luchta, of Ath-ferna or Aghafarnan, County of Meath ... 484
Article XI. — St. Betta, First Apostle of tlie Mercians. [Seventh Century. "l ... 485
Article XII. — St. Conon, of Kilmacumsy, County of Roscommon ... 485
Article XIII.— St. Jarlaithe, Patron of the Archdiocese of Tuam. [Sixth
Century.] ... .. ... ... 485
Article XIV.— St. Mogoboc or Goban, of Rath lampaighe ... ... 485
Article XV.— St. Senach, Priest, of Cealla Ua Maigheach ... ... 486
Article XVL— Festival of St. Finan, Finnian, Fennia or Findia, Bishop of
Moville, County of Down. [Sixth Century.] ... ... 486
Ctoelftl) jaap ot jfehniarp*
Article I. — St. Sedulius, or Siadiial, or Sheil, Bishop of Dublin, with
other holy and learned Irishmen, bearing a similar
Name. [From the Fifth to the Ninth Century.]
Chap. I. — Introduction — Origin of the Name Siadhal or Shiel —
Sedulius, Bishop of Dublin — Opinions regarding
him — His Death ... ... .. 487
Chap. II. — Caius Cselius Sedulius — The Obscurity of his His-
tory— Controversies regarding the Place of his
Birth —PI is early Education — The Time when he
flourished — His European Travels — Rank he held
in the Church — His Genius as a Poet and Theolo-
gian— His Writings — Various Editions of them —
Eulogies of different Authors regarding them —
His Death .. .. ... 489
Chap. III. — Another Scottish Sedulius, a "Bishop of the Eighth
Century — His History, so far as known — Sedulius,
Abbot of Linnduachuil — Sedulius, of Lismore —
Sedulius, Abbot of Kinn Locha — Sedulius, called
the Younger, and his Writings — Sedulius, Abbot
and Bishop of Roscommon — Sedulius or Siadhal, of
Castlekieran — Other remarkable Persons, bearing
the Name Sedulius, Siadhal or Shiel — Conclusion 500
Article IL— St. Fethgna or Factna, Archbishop of Armagh. [Ninth Century.]... 503
Article III. — St. Simplex, Bishop of Cill Moduind, now Kilmude, in Hy-Many,
County of Galway ... ... ... $o\
Article IV. — Semplex and Daman, with martyred Companions... ... 505
Article V. — St. Conin or Coinin, Bishop ... ... ... 505
Article VI. — St. Fionan, Son of Erannan. [Seventh Century.] ... ... 505
Article VII. — St. Cummain or Cummein, of Gleann-Mona ... ... $06
Article VIII. — St. Lugaidh, of Cuil-ruscach, in Breifne. ... ... 506
Article IX. — Reputed Festival of St. Gobnet or Gobnata, Abbess at Ballyvourney,
County of Cork. [Sixth Century.] ... ... 5^6
ArticleX.— St. Beologo, Priest, of Cluain-Dartadha. ... ... 506
Article XI.— St. Aedhan, of Cluain Dartaighe ... .. ...* 507
ArticleXII.— St. Aedh, Sonof Feradhach ... ... ... 5^7
Article XIII.— St. Cronan ... ... ... ... 507
Article XIV.— St. Daman of Tigh Damain, or Tidowan, in Ui-Criomhlhannain,
Queen's County ... ... ... 5^7
Article XV.— St. Forannan, Abbot of Clonard, County of Meath. [Eighth
Century.] ... ... ... ... SoS
Article XVI. — St. Ludan, or Ludanus, Pilgrim, Diocese of Strasburgh. [Tweljth
and Thirteenth Centuries.] ... ... ... 5^8
Article XVII.— St. Maneteus, Abbot, in Scotland ... ... 510
Article XVIII.— Reputed Festival of St. Cadoc, of Lanncarven. [Sixth
Century.] ... ... ... ... %\Q
CONTENTS.
Cftirteentfi Dap of jfebniarp*
jfifteenti) Bag of jfeiruarp.
Page
Article I. — St. Domnoc, Dominicus or Modomnoc, Patron of Tibuer-
AGHNY, AND FiDDOWN, CoUNTY KILKENNY. [^Sixth Ceftiury.]
CliAP. I. — Introduction — Acts of St, Domnoc or Modomnoc —
His Pedigree — He goes over to Wales — A Disciple
of St. David — Appointed Dee-Keeper at Menosvia —
St. David rescues him from Danger — He leaves
for Ireland, and the Bees follow him — They are
left at Lann Beachaire ... ... 510
Chap. II. — Enquiry regarding Bees and Honey having been in
Ireland from the earliest known Times — St. Mo-
domnoc settles at a Place, formerly called Tiprad-
fachtna, and now known as Tibberaghny — Its
Antiquities — His supposed Rank in the Church —
His Natalis and Time of his Death — Conclusion ... 513
Article II. — Festival of a reputed St. Domhangin ... ... 516
Article III. — Festival of St. Conan, or Canoe, Pilgrim, Abbot of Gallen, King's
County, and of Kilmuccraise. \^Ftftk or Sixth Ceitturv-^ ... 516
Article IV. — St. Ermen, Virgin ... ... ... 516
Article V. — St. Darcus ... ... ... ... 516
Article VI. — St. Cuachnat, or Cruachnat, Virgin, of Ros-raithe ... 516
Article VII. — St. Columbanus, or Columban, Abbot and Recluse, at Ghent, in
Belgium, \_lhith Century.'\ ... ... ... 517
Article VIII. — St. Fionan, said to have been of Druim-Neoid, or Dromhabrad... 518
Article IX. — Feast of St. Kilian, Martyr, and Patron of Wurtzburgh. \_Sevenih
Century:\ ... ... ... ... 519
Article X. — Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Livinus, Bishop and
Martyr, at Ghent. [Sevcnt/i Centuty.'] ... ... 519
jfourteenti; Bap of jfeiruarp*
Article I.— St. Manchan, Abbot of Mohill, County Leitrim, [Probably in
the Sez'eiith Century. \ ... ... ... 519
Article II. — St. Cellach, or Kellach, Bishop and Confessor. _ \Seventh Centttry.'] 524
Article III. — St. Caomhan, Convan, Conan or Coman, Missionary in the Orkney
Islands, Scotland ... ... ... 527
Article IV. — St. Colman, Bishop ... ... ... 533
Article v.— St. Sineach, of Srath ... ... ... 533
Article VI. — Reputed Festival of St. Gobnat, of Ballyvourney, County of Cork.
[Sixth Century.] ... ... • • 533
Article VII. — Saints Valentine and Marcellus, with Companions, Martyrs ... 534
Article I.— St. Berach or Berachius, Abbot, Patron of Kilbarrv,
County of Roscommon. [Sixth or Seventh Century.]
Chap. I. — Introduction — Prophecy of St. Patrick regarding St.
Berach — x\cts of this holy Man — His Family and
Birth — Baptism and Fosterage, by his Uncle,
Cruimhther Froech — His early Education — Sent to
St. Dagoeus for further Instruction — Miracles and
Merits of St. Berach ... ... 534
Chap. II. — St. Berach is recommended by St. Dagceus to place
himself under St. Kevin — His Journey through
Crich Rois and Bregia — He arrives at Glendalough,
where he is joyfully received by St. Kevin — His
Noviceship and Miracles, while there — St. Berach
receives an Angelic Admonition to remove from
St. Kevin's Monastery ... ... 538
Chap. Ill — St. Berach's Departure from Glendalough— He sets
out in a direct Course for Cluain-Coirpthe — Dispute
with a Magus— Both are referred to /Edan, King of
CONTENTS.
Page
• Scotland — Return to Ireland — St. Berach founds a
Cell at Dubheraith — Description of KUbanach,
County of Dublin ... ... 542
Chap. IV. — St. Berach j^oes to Cluain-Coirpthe — Legend con-
cerning his Contest with the Magus — He founds a
Monastery, at a Place afterwards called Kilbarry —
His Miracles — Period assigned for his Death — His
Veneration — Conclusion ... ... 546
Article II.— St. Farannan, Confessor, and Patron of Allfarannan,
NOW Alternan, Parish of Easkey, County of Sligo.
[^Sixth Century. '\
Chap. I. — Introduction — Old Irish Life of St. Farannan — His
Acts — St. Columkille and the Convention at Drum-
ceat — Its probable Site ... ... 55^
Chap. II. — St. Columkille procures the Release of Scanlan,
Prince of Ossory — St. Columba's spiritual Jurisdic-
tion— At Easdra he meets various holy Men and
"Women, at a public Assembly ... ... 557
Chap. III. — St. Farannan and many holy Persons at the Dnmi-
ceat Convention — Tibraid grants Land and endows
three Churches — One of these, Alt-Faranain
served by our Saint — His Manner of living there —
His Death, Festival, and popular Veneration for
his Memory — Conclusion ... ... 5^^
Article III.— Feast of St. Dichul, Abbot of Lure. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.'] 565
Article IV. — St. Fergus, or Ferghas, Son of Aedh, or Aengus .. ... 565
Article V. — Reputed Fe; -t of St. Eruaki, Ervvald, Arnwal, or Arnual, in Fran-
conia. y/'/obably about the Seventh Century."] ... ... 5^5
Article VI.— Festival of Holy Martyrs ... ... ... 565
Article VII.— Festival of the Blessed Richard Fitz Ralph, Archbishop of Armagh.
[Fourteenth Century.] ... ... ... 5^^
Article VIII.— Reputed Feast of St. Columban, Abbot and Recluse at Ghent.
[7enth Century.] ... - ... ... 566
Article IX.— Reputed Festival ot a St. Darerca ... ... 5^6
Article I.— St. Tanchon, or Tanco, Martyr and Third Bishop of Ver.
DEN, IN Saxonv. [Eighth and Ninth Centuries?^ ... 567
Article II. — St. Aedh Glas, Bishop, of Rath na n-Epscop, or Rathnaspick.
[Possibly in the Fifth or Sixth Century.] ... ... 569
Article III. — St. .^nghas, or CEnT;us, Bishop, of Rath na n-Epscop, or Rath-
naspick. [Probably in the Sixth Century.] ... ... 57^
Article IV. — St. Roibne, or Robni, Abliot ... ... ... 571
Article V. — St. Beroiius, or Berasius, Bishop ... ... ... 572
Article VI.— St. Berchan, Confessor ... ... ... 572
Article VIL — Reputed Feast of St. Fechin, of Lemmaigh ... ... 572
Article V in.— Reputed Festival of St. Finan, Bishop. [Seventh Century.] ... 572
Article IX. — St Babol en. Abbot of P*ossey, Belgium. [Seventh Century.] ... 573
Article X.— Festival of St. Julian ... ... ... 573
^rbenteentl) JDap of jftlintarp.
Article I.— St. Fintan, Abbot and Patron of Clonenagh, Queen's
County. [Sixth Century.]
Chap. I. — Introduction— Acts of St. Fintan — His Parentage —
Miracle preceding his Birth — Period when this
occurred — Clonkeen — St. Fintan's Baptism and
early Education — He lives for some Time under
St. Cohiniba Mac Crimthainn at Tirdaglas— Accom-
panied by the latter holy Man, and with two
CONTENTS.
Page
Disciples, St. Fintan visits, the Site of Clonenagh,
and selects it for his Place of Habitation ... 574
Chap. II. — Cromoyue, or Cremogue — St. Fintan's strict Rule at
Clonenagh — Various Miracles wrought by him
while there — His Spirit of Prophecy ... 581
Chap. III. — St. Fintan heals an infirm Man— His nocturnal
Prayers — He procures the Release from Captivity of
Corm;ic, a Prince of Hy-Kinsellagh — Fergna, Son
of Cobhtach — St. Fintan visits Achadh Finglass —
The ancient Book of Clonenagh ... ... 586
Chap. IV.— St. Fiulan's Virtues and Accomplishments — He is
styled a Bishop as well as an Abbot— Departure of
two Brothers at Clonenagh — St. Fintan recom-
mended by St. Columkille as a holy Father Con-
fessor— Death of St. Fintan — Day of his Feast —
Veneration paid to his Memory — Churches dedi-
cated to him— Conclusion ... ... 592
Article II. — St. Cormac, Archbishop of Armagh. \_FiJth Century. "] ... 598
Article III. — St. Loman, or Luman, said to have been the first Bishop, at Trim.
\^Fifth Century.'\ ... ... ... 601
Article IV. — St. Fortchem, said to have been second Bishop, at Trim. \Fiftk
and Sixth Centuries. '\ ... ... ... 603
Article V.— St. Patrick Hosliarius or Ostiarius, at Trim ... ... 603
Article VI. — St. Lurech or Lurecus Mac Cuanach, at Trim ... ... 604
Article VII. — St. Coelochtra or Caslus-Ochtra, at Trim ... ... 604
Article VIII.— St. Conan, at Trim ... ... ... 604
Article IX. — St. Cuimaen or Coman, a Bishop, at Trim ... ... 604
Article X. — St. Lactean or Lactan, a Priest, at Trim ... ... 604
Article XI. — St. Lactean or Lactan, a Bishop, at Trim , ... ... 604
Article XII.— St. Saran, at Trim ... ... ... 604
Article XIII.— St. Conaill or Conall, at Trim ... ... ... 605
Article XIV.— St. Colman, at Trim ... ... ... 605
Article XV. — St. Fiusecha, or Finnsegh, Virgin ... ... 605
Article XVI.— St. Cormac, Bishop of Ath-Truim, now Trim, County of Meath.
[Seventh and Eighth Centuries.^ ... ... 605
Article XVII.— St. Ossan, Bishop of Rathossain, County of Meath. {Seventh
Century. 1 ... ... ... ... 607
Article XVIII. —St. Ossan, supposed to be a Priest, buried in Trim. {Probably
Seventh and Eighth Centuries.'\ ... ... ... 60S
Article XIX.— The Saint.s, called Aid or Aedh, buried at Trim... ... 608
Article XX. — St. Miodhu, Son of Fachtna ... ... ... 609
Article XXL— St. Dochoiina, Son of Odhran ... ... ... 609
ArticleXXIL— St. Brelach, Sonof Fithcheallach ... ••• 609
ArticleXXIIL— St. Feicellaigh ... ... ... 609
Article XXIV.— St. Roibne, Bishop ... ... ... 609
Article XXV.— St. Gobnat, of Ballybooly ... ... •• 609
Article XXVI. —St. Finan, Bishop'of Lindisfarne, England. [Seventh Century.} 610
Article XXVIL— St. Dnchonna or Machonna ... ... ••• 611
Article XXVIIL — Reputed Festival of a St. Ronan, Bishop of the Scots. {Fifth
and Sixth Centuries.'\ ... ... . 6l2
Article XXIX.— St. Silvin, reputed to be an Irish Bishop, at Alciac, or Auchy,
in Belgium. {Seventh and Eighth Centuries. '\ ... .. 612
Article XXX.— St. Lurach, of the Poems, Bishop of Derryloran, County of
Londonderry. {Sixth Century. 1 ... ... 616
Ci'Sfitftntl) Bap of Jfrbniar)?*
Article t.— St. Colman, Blshop of Ard-Bo, County Tyrone. {Probably in
the Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 618
Article II. — St. Dacualenus or Culanus, Bishop of Killcuilawn, County of Tip-
perary. {Possibly in the Seventh Century.] ... ... 620
Article ITL— St. Nem, Bishop of Drum Berthach ... ... 624
Article IV.— St. Libha, or.Molibba, of Annahilt, County of Down ... 627
Article V. — St. Daniel, Bishop of Ceann-garad, now Kingarth, in Bute, Scot-
laud. [Seventh Century.] ... ... ... 62S
CONTENTS.
Page
Article VI. — St. Lassair, or Lasera, or Laisre, Virgin, of Ghlionn-meadhoin,
County of Antrim ... ... ... 628
Article VII.— St. Berach ... ... ... ... 629
Article VIII. — St. Uidhrin or Huidhrin of Druim-dresna or Drum-dresa ... 629
Article IX. — St. Aengus, or CEngus, Bishop of Drum-Rathe ... ••• 630
f^\\\tim\\\) 2Ba|) of jfetuniarp*
Article I.— St. Odran, or Odhran, of Disert-Odhrain, in Offaly,
King's County, Martyr. \Fifth Century.l ... ... 631
Article II. — St. Baoithin or Baetin, Bishop, of Taech Baoithin, or Taghboyne,
County Westmeath. [Sixth Century.l ... ... 634
Article III. — St. Nuad, St. Nuada or Nodtat, Archbishop of Armagh. \Eiqhth
ami A^inth Centii7-ies.'\ ... ... ... 637
Article IV,— St. Maeldobharchon, or Maeldobhorchon, Bishop of Kildare,
County of Kilflare. [Seventh ami Eighth Centuries.'] ... 639
Article V. — Saints Eugene, Connall and Carbre, of Tegh Mac Nemain ... 639
Article VI. — St. Fechin Mac Ua Chainche, of Lemmach, now probably Lawny
or Lavvoy, County of Cavan ... ... ... 639
Article VII. — Reputed Festival of a Translation of the Relics of St. Gall, at St.
Gall, Switzerland ... ... ... 640
Article VIII. — St. Acca, Bishop of Hexham, England. [Eighth Century.] ... 640
Article IX. — The Blessed Bodeca, or Dudoco, Bishop of Bath, England.
[Eleventh Century.] ... ... ... 640
Article X. — Reputed Festival of a St. Gero or Geron, Cologne. [Tenth Century.] 641
Article XI. — St. Daigh, or Diigaeus, Bishop ... ... ... 641
CtoeututI) Bap of jfebruarg*
Article I.— St. Colga, Abbot of Lusk, County of Dublin. [Sez'enth
Century.] ... ... ... ... 642
Article II. — St. Olcan or Bolcan, Bishop of Armoy, County of Antrim. [Fi/tk
Century.] ... ... ... ... 643
Article III. — Reputed Feast of St. Cogan, or Congan, Abbot. [Probably in the
Sixth Century.] ... ... ... 648
Article IV. — St. Cronan ... ... ... ... 648
Article V. — St. Gains and Thirty Companions, Martyrs ... .. 649
Article VI. — Reputed Festival of Caius Crelius Sedulius ... ... 649
Article VII. — Reputed Festival of the Translation of St. Pantaleon's Head, at
Cologne ... ... ... ... 649
Article VIII. — St. Colga, or Colcho, surnamed the Wise, Lector of Clonmac-
noise. King's County. [Eighth Century.] ... ... 649
Article IX. — Reputed Translation of St. Gall's Relics, Switzerland ... 655
Ctoentg4'rsit JBap of Jfefiniarp*
Article I. — St. Colman, Bishop and Confessor of Ard-Bo, County of
Tyrone. [Probably in the Sixth Century.] ... ... 655
Article II. — St. Fintan, Abbot and Bishop of Clonfert. ['Probably in the Sixth
Century.] ... ... ... ... 657
Article III. — St. Cronan, of Cill Beg, or Kilbeg ... ... 660
Article IV. — Reputed Festival of St. Cedd, Abbot of Lestingen, England ... 662
Article v. — Reputed Festival of St. Chuniald ... ... ... 662
Article VI. — St. Ursin or Ursicinus, a Monk, in France ... ... 663
Article VII.— Reputed Festival of St. Gildas the Wise ... ... 663
CONTENTS.
Ctoentp^-sferonlr Dap of jfebniarp*
Page
Article I.— St. Moel-Brigid, or Brigidanus, Abbot of Derry and
Primate OF Armagh. \Ninth and Tenth Cenhirics.'\ ... 663
Article II.— St. Fechin, a Priest ... ... ... 668
Article III.— St. Moelan of Achadh Gobhra ... ... ... 668
Article IV. — St. Caemhan, of Magh-macdodon, or Magh Mennoite ... 668
Article V. — St. Midabaria, Miadhnat or Miodhabhair, of Ard-drochait or Rinn-
droichit ... ... ... ... 669
Article VI, — Reputed Festival of St. Marnokdubus or Marnokdubh, Scotland ... 669
Article VII. — St. Gurnin, or Guirminn, Daughter of Cugheala or Conghail ... 670
Article VIII. — Festivals of St. Peter's Chair, at Antioch, of the Birth of St.
Laurence, and of St. Tecla ... ... ... 670
Article IX. — Festival of St. Dima or Dioma, First missionary Bishop among the
Mercians and Midland Angles. \Seventh Century. '\ ... 670
Article X. —Reputed Festival of a St. Brixius, Bishop of ]\Ioray, Scotland
S^T%vclfth and Thirteenth Centnries.'\ ... ... 672
CtDentp4f)ira Dap of jfebniarp*
Article I. — St. Guigner, Fingar, or Finn Guaire, with his Sister
Piala, and Seven Hundred and Seventy-Seven Com-
panions, Martyrs, ypifth Century. 1
Chap. I. — Introduction — Acts of St. Fingar and of his Com-
panion.s — Said to have been converted to the Faith
in the Time of St. Patrick — Conjectures regarding
Fingar's Parentage — The Exiles from Ireland pass
over to Britain — Favourably received by a Chief-
tain and his People — Fingar separates from his
Companions, but the Place of his Retreat is dis-
covered ... ... ... 672
Chap. II. — St. Fingar returns to Ireland — Offered his heredi-
tary Principality there, which he refuses — He sets
out once more, with Seven Hundred and Seventy-
Seven Companions, including his Sister Piala —
They land in Cornubia — Their kind Treatment by a
Woman called Coruria — Theodoric, King of Cor-
nubia, attacks and slaughters the Companions of
St. Fingar ... ... ... 676
Chap. III. — St. Fingar joins his Companions, and exhorts them
to Constancy — He is beheaded by Theodoric —
^ Honours paid to the Martyrs, and Miracles after
their Deatli — Probable Date and Place of their
Martyrdom — Conclusion ... ... 678
Article II. — Findchadan or Fionnchadhan, of Ard " ... ... 680
Article III. — St. Ernin Cass, of Leighlin, County of Carlow ... ... 681
Article IV. — Saints Mannan and Tiaan, of Aredh-suird or Airiudh h-Uird ... 682
Article V. — The Daughters of ^nghus, King of Munster. \_Sixth Century P[ ... 684
Article VI. — Cruimther Connrach, or Conry, or Conrius. \Sixth Century^ ... 685
Article VII.— St. Colman or Columnan ... ... ... 685
Article VIII.— St. Madian, Bishop and Martyr ... ... 685
Article IX.— Festival of St. Finianus, or St. Finian, Bishop of Clonard, County
ofMeath. [Fifth and Sixth Ce?tturies.'\ ... ... 686
Article X.— St. Boisil, Abbot of Melrose, Scotland. {Sevejith Century"] ... 686
Article XL — St. John, Martyr, and Bishop of Meckelenburg, Saxony. [Eleventh
Cenkir.y.] ... ... ... ... 688
ArticleXIL— Reputed Festival of St. Aldetrudis ... ... 689
Cip'entp4onrtl; Dap of jfebruarp*
Article I. — St. Cummineus Albus, Cuimine Ailbe, or Fionn, Abbot of
Ion A, Scotland. [Seventh Century.] ... ... 689
Article II. — St. Heise, or Plassea, Virgin, of Airidh-fota, or Aredfod ... 695
Article III. — St. Ciaran or Kieranus, of Uamh, or Vameu ... ... 696
CONTENTS,
Page
Article IV. — Reputed Festival of St. Berectus, a Monk, in Scotland ... 696
Article V. — St. Mocadoc or Cadoc ... ... ... 697
Article VI. — Festival of Ccecilius or Csclius Sedulius. \^Fifth Century^ ... 697
Article I.— St. Cienan, or Kenan, Abbot. [Probably in the Fifth Century. "l 697
Article II. — St. Aldetrude, or Aldetrudis, Virgin and Abbess of Malbod, or
Maubeuge, Belgium. [Seventh Century. ^ ... ... gg^
Article III.— Reputed Feast of Cailtan, or Coelten, or Colga, Monk, at Zona,
Scotland ... ... ... ,., yoi
Article IV.— Festival of St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburg, Germany. {^Eighth
Century. '\ ... ... ... -q.
Article v.— Festival of the Finding of the Apostle St, Paul's Head, and of the
Martyr Teolis ... ... ... ... 705
Article VI.— St. Croine, Virgin, of Tallagh, County of Dublin... ... 705
Article VII. — St. Caimsea or St. Caomhsa, Virgin ... ... 705
Article VIII.— Feast of the Translation of St. Fursey's Relics ... ... 706
ArticleIX.— Reputed Feast of Ciaran, Si ... ... ... 706
709
710
CtDentp-'Sfrtl) ©ap of jfehniarp.
Article I. — St. Enna or Ennius, also called Mo-Enna or Moen, Bishop.
[Sixth Century.'] ... ... ... *ro6
Article II. — St. Beccan, or Becanus, the Blind, probably of Kinsealy, County of
Dublin
Article III. — Festival of Alexander and of Tarcellorus
Article IV.— St. Talmach, Monk, supposed to be of Lough Irce, County of Cork,
and of Armoric Britain. [Sixth Century.] ... ... 711
Article V. — St. ^Edhlug, or Aidlugus, Abbot of Clonmacnois, King's County.
[Seventh Centwy.] ... ... ... 712
Article VI.— Reputed Festival of a St. Mathilde, Mathilda, or Mechtildis, a
Scottish Virgin. [Thirteenth Century.] ... ... 715
Article VII. — St. Ogan, Oghanus, or Ogrin, a Bishop ... ... 714
Article VIII. — St, Cronan, of Glinn Assi, Asa, Aesa, or Aosa... ... 715
Article IX. — Reputed Festival of John, Bishop of Constance, Germany ... 715
Article X.— St. Ethnea, Eithene, Athna, Ethna, Heihna, or Eihni ... 716
CU)entp^-s(el)cntI) Bag of jfrtniarp*
Article I.— St. Comgan, or Comdhax, Abbot of Gleann-Ussen, or Kill-
ESHiN, Queen's County. [Possibly in the Ninth Century.] ... 717
ArticleII,— St. Comman, Mac UaTheimhne ..,' ... ... 721
Article III.— Reputed Festival of Soghan and Sophan, Bishops ... 721
Article IV.— Reputed Festival of St. Hildulph, First Bishop of Treves, or Triers,
[Seventh and Eighth Centuries.] ... .,721
Article V,—Repu'ed Festival of a St, Oganus, l^ishop ... ... 722
Article VI.— Reputed Festival of St. Eluius, Elueus, Helvjeus, or Albaus, a sup-
posed Bishop of Menevia, Wales, [Fifth Century.] ... 722
Article VII.__St, Oda, or Odda, Virgin, at Rhoda, Belgium. [During or after
the Eighth Century.] ... ... ... 722
CONTENTS,
CtucntHisWft Sap of jfcbniarp*
Article I.— St. Sillan, Silvan, or Sylvan, Abbot of Bangor, County of
D<J\VN. [Sixth and Seventh Centuries.]
Article II. — Reputed Festival of a St. Mohsiona, or Mosinu
Article III,— Reputed Festival of St. Gall, Lake of Constance, Switzerland
Article IV. — Reputed Festival of St. Modwcna
Article V. — Cruimther Domhnaigh, or Crumiharus Dominile Cumficlanus, Son of
Ua Foillanus ...
Article VI. — Reputed Festival of a St. Vulfherus, a Confessor and Priest
Article VII. — St. Ternoc, or Tearnog
Article VIII. — Festival of St. Aeclh, Mac Bricc, of Enachbriuin, of Killare, and
of Rathhugh, County of Westmeath, as also of Slieve League,
County of Donegal. {Sixth Centujy.]
Article IX. — St. Ernin, or Ermina, Daughter of Airchuin
Article X. — Reputed Festival of St. Connachus, Priest and Confessor
Article XL— St. Dichuill, of Airiudh-nuiilt, Lough Erne
Article XII. — Reputed Festival of a St. Victor, said to have been Bishop of
Donaghmoyne, County of Monaghan
Article XIII.— Reputed Festival of St. Nennius, Abbot of Benchor, in the Hebri-
dean Island Hu, or Hy, Scotland
Page
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733
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SUPPLEMENTAEY LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
Barden, Mr. Peter, 22 North Summer-
street, Dublin,
Barrett, Rev. John, C.C, St. Mary's,
Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.
Baxter, Rev. James, C.C, St. Kevin's,
Harrington-street, Dul)lin.
Belimgham, Henry, Esq., 9 Cavendish-
square, London, England.
Burke, Oliver J., Esq., 7 Morehampton-
road, Donnybrook, Co. Dublin.
Burke, Rev. Sylvester, C.C, 28 Nelson-
street, Dublin.
Cannon, Rev. Patrick, P.P., Ballymac-
ward and Cloonkeen-Kerrill, Wood-
lawn, Co. Galway. [Accidently omittea
in the list of Original Subscribers, vol. i.]
Carey, Mr. Matthew, 3 Exchange-court,
Dublin.
Christian Schools, The Director, West-
port, Co. Galway.
Christian Schools, The Director, Fermoy,
Co. Cork.
Christian Schools, The Director, Canal
Harbour, James's-street, Dublin.
Christie, Thomas Craig, Laird of Bedlay,
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DUBLIN.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
Siv^t JBap ot jf^hruarp^
ARTICLE I. —LIFE OF ST. BRIGID, VIRGIN, FIRST ABBESS OF KILDARE,
SPECIAL PATRONESS OF KILDARE DIOCESE, AND GENERAL
PATRONESS OF IRELAND.
\FIFTH AND SIXTH CENTURIES.I
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION — AUTHOR's PLAN AND TREATMENT — AUTHORITIES, ANCIENT AND
MODERN, FOR THE LIFE OF ST. BRIGID — CRITICAL REMARKS— THE HOLY VIRGIN's
PARENTAGE-^PLACE AND DATE OF HER BIRTH.
THE path of a modern biographer, while treating about the Acts of
Ireland's great Patroness, is beset with difficulties of a varied nature.
These arise, owing not so much to a want of materials for his task, as from
the legendary, conflicting, and oftentimes contradictory accounts, so fre-
quently met with, in several ancient tracts, relative to this holy virgin.
Occasionally, however, the most exacting investigator of our traditions and
antiquities will find facts or circumstances, mingled with legendary or irre-
concilable narratives, deserving more than ordinary significance and having
much historic importance. It can hardly admit of question, how pleasure
and instruction, derivable from reading the most celebrated epic poems of
ancient and modern times, should be materially lessened, if presented by
their authors, in a didactic or an unimaginative style, avoiding the introduc-
tion of mythic episodes and personages, or the use of exaggerated metaphors
and fancies. We must be ready to allow, that an undercurrent of historic
truth sometimes sustains a superstructure of mythology, in such poems, and
that it directs the interest and moral, evolved from poetic imaginings. By a
parity of reasoning — although in a widely different sense — the truly religious
and disciplined spirit of an enlightened and a pious Christian will not too
readily reject various interesting legends, contained in the acts of our na-
tional Saints, when he is free to receive them on the weight, or set them in
abeyance on the want, of sustaining evidence. Many sceptical or over fasti-
dious critics undervalue the force of popular traditions, and regard such
attested miracles as incredible or legendary ; but, while those persons desire
to remove cockle from the field of Irish hagiology, they possibly incur some
risk, at the same time, of rooting up good seed with the tares. Our Divine
Redeemer, regarding the existence of good and evil, has already observed,
Vol. II. — No. i. b
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
in a most beautiful and instructive parable, " Suffer both to grow until the
harvest, and in the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers : ' Gather
up first the cockle, and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye
into my bam."'^ The known application of this, parable, respecting the
sower and the cockle, is obvious to the mind of every well-instructed
Christian. Without any unnatural perversion of meaning, it may likewise
apply to topics here introduced, but in a mode somewhat different. A
multitude of legends will doubtless be found interpolated, among St. Brigid's
authentic acts and miracles. . Such fictions create so much embarrassment,
in any effort to discriminate truth and error, that it may be regarded as an
utterly impracticable project, at the present day, to draw in many cases a
very marked line of distinction. Perhaps, no complete biography can be
presented to the reader, without running some risk of overloading it with un-
necessary, and frequently with incongruous, matter. It must be observed,
while depreciating an insertion of fables, as opposed to correct taste and
sound historic deduction, the plan of this present biography may not warrant
absolute departure from records left us by ancient writers, however traditional
and unsatisfactory such accounts happen to appear ; especially, when no
amount of credit is claimed for their authenticity, but such as may be estab-
lished, by tests of strict evidence, or by the dictates of acute judgment.
Religious feeling and Christian faith do -not require for their preservation
and growth, the production and publication of many legends, to be found in
special Acts of our national saints. Those narratives, however, were con-
sonant with a prevalent taste, and with the sentiments of our ancestors, in
past ages. Even yet, when received with due caution, and with a just,
discriminating spirit, such legends may be found, not altogether devoid of
edification, granting their authenticity to be very questionable. A well-re-
gulated mind will regard them, chiefly as emanations of a former period, and
as illustrations of popular opinion, national feeling or religious impressions,
which widely prevailed during times, when those narratives had been written.
Entering upon the subject of our great saint's biography, it will be neces-
sary to premise a few observations concerning its plan and treatment, before
referring to authorities, on which subsequent statements are made. It is
the writer's intention, to embody at least the most probable and substantial
accounts former chroniclers have handed down, regarding this holy virgin,
according to the best possible chronological order, and most consecutive
form, consistent with the intricacy of his subject.
Wherever discrepancies may be detected, in accounts left by various
writers, those differences are faithfully pointed out, either in the text or in
its accompanying notes. Again, several disquisitions or comments, not
claiming the character of being original, in most cases, are usually the result
of attentive reading or careful enquiry ; while those dissertations are placed,
according to the writer's best opinion, in their most appropriate position.
He has also preferred allowing the studious reader's exercise of his own
sagacity and critical discrimination, rather to test the accuracy of statements
made, than to assume their solution, where mistakes might so easily be in-
troduced. The author supposes, those authorities quoted so frequently
inust exonerate himself from any necessity for obtruding judgments, often
liable to be ill-founded. In this life, it was deemed advisable to present
the fullest and most complete narrative of St. Brigid's Acts, hitherto found in
the English language. Sensible of those obvious and consequent difficulties
he must expect to encounter, mistakes are frequently inevitable, while the
Article i.—Chaptlr i.— ^ St. Matt, xiii., 30.
i
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
writer is almost as certain to incur censure from the learned and critical, for
its many elaborations and redundancies, as for its numberless defects, and
unavoidable inaccuracies.
Already several elegantly written, and tolerably correct, compendiums of
Saint Brigid's Acts have appeared in an English dress. Many of these are
most creditable to the literary taste and correct judgment of their respective
authors. Such publications have supplied an admitted void in our popular
literature. Still a critical and researchful life of Ireland's holy Patroness the
writer chiefly desires to produce ; and, however he may disappoint the ex-
pectations of capable students, he cannot conceal from himself the inherent
difficulties of his task, and the utter impossibility of surmounting them, saving
with a relative measure of success. That degree of credibility attaching to
authorities or writers, treating about our great Virgin Saint, should pre-occupy
the reader's mind, at the very start of our enquiry. Impartial opinions and
exact methods of examination are required, when following the intricate pro-
cess of inductive biographical research, where statements are often liable to
mislead. In accordance with the general scope and design of this life, its
authorities must first be given, after an unpretending and a simple arrange-
ment. A brief account of the probable periods when her biographers wrote,
with their respective opportunities for acquiring information, may prove
desirable; even though conjecture must be substituted for more reliable
knowledge, in regard to several subjects of special importance and enquiry.
We shall endeavour to enumerate the several ancient writers, who are
stated to have commemorated St. Brigid's Acts and virtues, so far as known
to us, while observing that exact chronological order, in which each compiler
seems to have flourished, or written, or died. It may be premised, that
nearly all of these writers are Irishmen, and that several are classed among
our native saints. Among the earliest we must regard St. Fiech,^ who
flourished in or about the year 520, the disciple of St. Patrick and first chief
bishop of Leinster. He is thought possibly to have composed a hymn in
praise of St. Brigid.3 One attributed to him, however, seems to indicate,
that this holy virgin had departed from life, before it had been composed. •♦
St. Fiech was her contemporary ; yet, it is strange, we find no allusion to
him in her Acts. Fiech does not seem to have lived, beyond the year 530.S
^ See his Life at the 12th of October. served. This he says may be instanced, in
3 It is said to commence with these words : the fourth and fifth lines. Yet, the Latin
** Audite Virginis laudes." reader must find, on investigation, that there
* In the " Leabhur lomaun," or "Book are sixteen syllables in these lines mentioned,
of Hymns" — now preserved in the Francis- as in most of the other stanzas. There are,
can Library, Dublin — an old scholiast pre- however, five lines which either fall short,
fixed the io\\o\v'mg proeinium or argument or exceed that number of syllables. Secondly,
to this hymn, and which may thus be trans- as published by Colgan, the hymn consists
lated into English. "St. Nennid Lam- of five instead of four strophes. Thirdly, \i
hoidhain, that is, of the Clean Hand, com- what the scholiast states be true, that the
posed this hymn in praise of St. Brigid, or words, "Audite Virginis laudes," com-
St. Fieg of Sletty ; * Audite Virginis menced the hymn, and that there were
laudes' is its beginning : or, St. Ultan of four divisions or parts in it, two of the last
Ardbrecain composed it, in honour of St. must be wanting, and three other strophes,
Brigid. It comprises St. Brigid's miracles which are placed before these lines, must
in one book : an alphabetical order is there have been intended as a preface. Or, if we
preserved, and it is written in imitation of can be sure, that absolutely speaking, there
Nosearian metre. There are four chapters were only four verses in it, the fifth which
in it, and four lines in each chapter, with is not found in the St. Magnus' manuscript,
sixteen syllables in each line." Three must be an addition to the original number,
points must here be noted, Colgan remarks. See " Trias Thaumaturga." Tertia Vita S.
First, in the hymn he published, the number Brigidse, n. 80, p. 445.
of sixteen syllables in each line is not pre- s This Colgan endeavours to show, in his
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
Nearly contemporaneous in point of antiquity, we may regard St. Ninni-
dius,^ surnamed Laimhiohain.7 He is said to have treated on the virtues
and miracles of St. Brigid. This is the statement of some writers.^ As her
chaplain and most intimate friend, he must have had special advantages for
acquiring information on this subject ; and therefore, a life of the saint, com-
posed by him, should be regarded as one of inestimable value and authen-
ticity. Yet, Colgan thinks, although Fiech and Nennidius, in all likelihood,
wrote something concerning St. Brigid, the hymn in question should rather
be attributed to St. Ultan, on account of certain reasons adduced.9 St.
Nennidius, called also Nenius,^° administered Holy Viaticum to the illus-
trious virgin, when she died, about a.d. 523, and consequendy he flourished
early in the sixth century. St. Brendan, Bishop of Clonfert, is said to have
written about the virtues and miracles of St. lirigid." He flourished, like-
wise, after her time, and he died on the i6th of May," a.d. 576.^3 St.
Brogan Cloen,^^ of Rostuirk in Ossory, and who probably flourished in the
seventh century, composed an Irish hynm'5 in praise of St. Brigid.'^ Of
this various manuscript copies remain. ^7 . Besides these authors, Cogitosus,^^
who flourished probably after the sixth and before the ninth century, wrote a
celebrated treatise on the life and virtues of St. Brigid. Several manuscript
copies of this tract are yet to be found.^9 Again, the illustrious St. Colum-
kille,-° Apostle of the Picts and Scots, is thought to have written a hymn on
the life, and in praise, of St. Brigid.^^ He is reputed to have composed it,"
about A.D. 563, on his passage to Britain. St. Columkille is generally thought
to have departed this life, in the year 596.^3
Fourth Appendix to St. Patrick's Acts, and
in that Catalogue of authors, who wrote
biographies of our national Apostle.
' See his Life at the 2nd of April.
7 Believing him to have been Abbot of
Inis-Muighe-Samh, an island on Lough
Erne, Colgan published his Acts in the
'* Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe," xviii. Janu-
arii, pp. iii to 115.
^ See Sir James Ware, " De Scriptoribus
Hibernice," lib. i., cap, i., p. 3.
9 In his notes to St. Brigid's Third Life.
'° According to the Third, Fourth and
Fifth Lives of St. Brigid, as published by
Colgan.
" The Scholiast on an Irish hymn, com-
posed in praise of St. Brigid, and which
begins with the words, ' ' Brigid be bhith-
maith," doubts as to whether the hymn, in
question, should be assigned to St. Brendan
or to St. Columba. But, Colgan supposed,
it should rather be attributed to St. Co-
lumba's pen, as well because of a statement
contained in an Irish Life of St. Brigid, as
on account of a cause alleged by the afore-
said Scholiast for composing this hymn, and
more nearly indicating such a conclusion.
" Colgan promised to say more regarding
him, at that day, when his Life will be
found in this collection.
'3 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 208, 209.
'* See his Life at the 1 7th of September.
'S That published by Colgan has 53
stanzas, while one, attributed to this same
Brogan Clocn, among the Trinity College
Manuscripts, Dublin, and classed E. 4, 2,
has only 34 stanzas.
^^ In the vol. xviii., belonging to the
Betham Collection of Manuscripts of the
Royal Irish Academy, and written by
Michael O'Longan, about the year 1760,
there is a " Hymnus de Virtutibus et mira-
culis Sanctoe Brigidae Kildariensis abbatissas
et patronte," a Sancto Brigano, p. 82. It
appears to have been copied from Colgan.
'7 There are seven quatrains of a poem on
St. Brigid attributed to St. Brogan, and
these are followed by St. Brogan's hymn to
St. Brigid, published by Colgan, in vol.
xli., a small 4to paper of the Betham Manu-
script Collection of the Royal Irish Aca-
demy, at p. 143 and p. 144. These arc
written by Mr. Owen Connellan,
'8 This writer is thought to be the St.
Cogitosus, surnamed the Wise, whose life
occurs at the i8th of April.
'9 At Eichstaett in Germany, there is a
copy of the Life of St. Brigid, by Cogitosus.
='° See his Life at the 9th of June.
^' Colgan supposed he had not seen any
of Columba's compositions on this subject,
except what had already been given through
a Latin version in his second appendix to
vSt. Brigid's Acts (cap. xxiv. ), and which,
in the original, begins with these words
"Brigid be bhithmaith."
==" The Scholiast on this hymn, and an
Irish life of St. Brigid, attribute its com-
position to St. Columba.
*3 On the 9th day of June. This is shown
in the fourth appendix to his Acts. See
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
St. Ultan,=* Bishop of Ardbraccan, in Meath, it is believed, wrote a book
on the Life of St. Brigid.'s He also, it is said, composed a hymn, in her
praise.^^ Colgan has assigned both of these tracts to the third place among
his various published acts of our saint.^7 This author flourished about a.d.
5 So, and he is reputed to have died, at a very old age, on the 4th of Sep-
tember, A.D. 656.=^^ St. Aleran, or Aileran, sometimes called Eleran,^9 and
surnamed the Wise, was a president or chief-director over Clonard School,
in Meath. He wrote St. Brigid's Life.3° This is testified by St. Coelan,
who himself composed metrical acts of St. Brigid.3' St. Aileran's feast has
been assigned incorrectly to the nth of August,32 and his death is set down
at 664. This year of mortality, however, seems rather referable to St.
Aileran the Wise,33 whose feast is held on the 29th of December. Kilian
or Coelanus, of Inis-Keltra,34 composed St. Brigid's Life in verse.35 This
forms the sixth and last of her acts, as pubHshed by Colgan.36 In his notes,
postfixed to this metrical life,37 the editor attempts to prove that Coelan
flourished about the end of the seventh or beginning of the eighth century. 38
Animosus, who appears to have acquired the name Anmchiudh or Anmire,
among the Irish, is said to have written many books of St. Brigid's acts. 39
This author, as has been thought, flourished about the year 950.4° At a
period subsequent to the time of writers already named, many others, who
flourished after the commencement of the twelfth century, wrote her life.
Among these authors may be enumerated, Laurence of Durham,^^ who is
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," cap. iv.,
v., vi., pp. 483 to 486.
^^ See his Life at the 4th of September.
-s In Harris' Ware, we read, " Ultan
Macconcubar \i.e. O'Connor] Bishop of
Ardbraccan, collected the Miracles of St.
Brigid into one volume in alphabetical
order, from whence an anonymous author,
who 'ivrit the life of that virgin in verse hath
taken occasion to preface his Poem with
these lines : —
*' Scripserunt nmlti virtutes virginis ahnce^
Ultanus Doctor, atque Eleraniis ovans.
Desaipsit vndtos Animosus nomine libros,
De vita ac studiis virginis ac meritis.
' ' The Virgin's virtues many writers paint,
Ultan the Sage and Eleran the Saint ;
And Amchaid in immortal works dis-
play'd
The life and merits of the spotless
maid."
—Vol. ii. "Writers of Ireland," book i.,
chap, iv., p. 30,
^^ Stated to have commenced with the
words: " Audite Virginis laudes." To it,
allusion has been already made.
^7 See " Trias Thaumaturga," pp. 527 to
545.
-*^ See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 268, 269 and n.
{s^), ibid. In the " Chronicum Scotorum,"
edited by William M. Hennessy, his death
is placed at A.D. 653, which is tlie year 657,
according to O'Flaherty. SeCjpp. 94, 95,
and n. 7, by the editor.
=9 See his Life at the 29th of December.
3° See Sir James Ware, "De Scriptoribus
Hibernian," lib. i., cap. iii., p. 27.
3' See Ussher, " De Primordiis Britanni-
carum Ecclesiarum," p. 1067.
3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, n. 6, p. 598, and
Appendix Tertia ad Acta S. Brigidae, pp.
609, 610. This seems to confound Jiim with
St. Aireran or Ereran of Tyfarnham in
Westmeath.
33 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 276, 277.
3-i See his Life at the 29th of July.
3S This has been edited by Father John
Boland, in "Acta Sanctorum Februarii,"
tomus i. Vita iii. S. Brigidse, virg., pp.
141 to 155.
3^ See "Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta
Vita S. Brigidse, pp. 582 to 596.
37 A manuscript copy of this metrical life,
kindly presented by William Eassie, Esq.,
High Orchard House, Gloucester, England,
is in the writer's possession.
38 See ibid., nn. 1,2, 3, pp. 596 to 598.
39 In a prologue, prefixed to St. Coe-
lan's metrical life, and published by Colgan,
allusion is made to the three last named
writers of St. Brigid's Acts. See "Trias
Thaumaturga." Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, p.
582.
4° See ibid. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, n.
I, p. 563.
4^ An English Benedictine. He died
about 1 149. Besides St, Brigid's life, he
wrote a Scriptural history, in Nine Books
and in Latin elegiac verses. It bore the
title of " Hypognosticon." He also com^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
said to have composed St. Brigid's biography, about the year 1150, and in a
superior style of Latinity, not commonly attempted during that age in which
he lived.-t^*
The most complete series of St. Brigid's ancient Acts has been already
published by our national hagiographer, Father John Colgan.43 These Acts
he has admirably arranged and annotated. With certain modifications of
opinion and comment, we shall briefly review them in his order.44
The first of Colgan's Srigidin^ Lives is that Irish poem, ascribed to St.
Brogan^s of Rosstuirc, in Ossory.^^ This, according to one inference, had
been written about the beginning of the sixth century,47 soon after St.
Brigid's death, if we credit the scholiast's statement. "^^ However, if St.
Ultan'^9 of Ardbraccan advised Brogan to compose it — as the same authority
states — its production is thought to be more properly referable to the seventh
century. so The second is her life, by Cogitosus,5^ who is incorrectly consi-
dered to have been a nephew and contemporary of the holy Virgin. s^ It
would appear, even from a passage in the Prologue to this Life,S3 how that
Prelate of Kildare, at the time its author wrote, was Archbishop over the
Leinster province, S4 while many bishops had preceded him in rule, since this
See of Kildare had been first ruled by Conlaeth.ss That this work had been
written, before the removal took place of St. Brigid's relics to Down,5^ and
posed "Consolatio pro morte Amici," in
Latin verse, with some other poetical pieces.
See S. Austin Allibone's " Critical Dic-
tionary of English Literature," &c., vol. ii.,
p. 1064.
4^ Colgan has published it, as the fifth
among his acts of St. Brigid. In an ap-
pended note, the editor states, this author
died about a.d. 1160. See "Trias Thau-
maturga," p. 639.
43 No less than six different Lives of St.
Brigid has he comprised in the "Trias
Thaumaturga, " extending from p. 513 to p.
598. Then follow five elaborate Appen-
dices, and an Epilogue, specially referring
to this Virgin's Acts, pp. 599 to 640. A
Summary of her Acts is likewise given, pp.
654 to 658, besides other allusions to her,
in the general Indices.
44 It will be understood, that when subse-
quently alluding to the numerical order of
St. Brigid's Lives, we are referring solely to
Colgan's arrangement.
45 Most likely, it is said, this Poem of his
had been written as an Elegy, immediately
on receipt of intelligence, regarding St.
Brigid's death.
4^ Near Slieve Bloom Mountains.
47 He is said to have composed it in the
time of Oilill, or Ailild, son of Dulaing,
King of Leinster, and whose death is re-
corded in Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," at A. D. 526. Vol. i., pp.
J 74, 175-
4«See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Prima S. Brigidae. Praefacio Veteris
Anonymi, p. 515. Her death is usually
placed between the years 518 and 525, by
the greater number of those, who have
written her Acts.
45 According to Ussher, he died A.D. 657.
See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiqui-
tates." Index Chronologicus, p. 539.
5° Ultan is placed in that age, by Sir
James Ware. See "De Scriptoribus
Hiberniae." Lib. i. cap. iii., pp. 22, 23.
S' Canisius had previously published a
version of it in " Antiquae Lectiones."
Tomus V.
5= By Messingham, who has given this
Life a place in " Florilegium Insulae Sanc-
torum."
53 The version of St. Brigid's Life, by
Cogitosus, which Colgan has published, was
prepared especially from a Manuscript be-
longing to the Monastery of St. Hubert,
and from a Codex belonging to the Monas-
tery of St. Amand — both houses probably
were situated in Belgium or Northern
France. The version, issued by Canisius
and Messingham, Colgan found to be very full
of errors, and therefore he corrected several,
especially using the St. Amand copy,
although he did not quite restore the text to
his perfect satisfaction. He also subdivided
the Life into a more convenient number of
chapters, than he had previously found
existing.
54 From the following passage in a Pro-
logue to this Life, we read : " Quam sem-
per Archiepiscopus Hiberniensium Episco-
porum, et Abbatissa, quam omnes Abbatissse
Scotorum venerantur, felici successione, et
ritu perpetuo dominantur," — Cogitosus' or
"Secunda Vita S. Brigidae," p. 516.
ss His Festival occurs at the 3rd of May.
5^ This transfer happened, in Colgan's
opinion, before or about the middle of the
ninth century. See " Trias Thaumaturga,"
n. 14, pp. 565, 566.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
before those ravages,57 caused by the Danes — or even by Irish princess^ — in
Kildare, cannot be disputed. 59 Various manuscript copies of Cogitosus'
work^ have been preserved in different libraries.^^ Not the least allusion
occurs in it to Kildare's having been ever destroyed, or to the spoliation of
St. Brigid's and St. Conlaeth's shrines, which he represents as being very
splendid and very rich. From his statement, likewise, that the city of Kil-
dare and its suburbs were places of safety and refuge, in which there could
not be the least apprehension of any hostile attack,^^ the canons of historic
criticism seem to place the authorship of this tract, at some time before the
commencement of the ninth century.
The Third Life of St. Brigid, as published by Colgan, is attributed to St.
Ultan of Ardbraccan by the editor ; although such a supposition has been
contravened by other judicious critics. On the authority of some false
genealogies, it is thought St. Brigid was sister to St. Ultan of Ard Breccain.
It was this Ultan, who, according to another statement, collected the virtues
and miracles of Brighit together, and who commanded his disciple Brogan to
put them into poetry. ^3 This is said to be evident from the Book of Hymns,
i.e. "The victorious^^ Brighit did not love," &c. While comparing the
Third with the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Lives of St. Brigidj^s it will
be found, that many particulars there related concerning her are not con-
tained in those last-mentioned tracts.^^ Again, the number of divisions it
57 These are not known to have commen-
ced, before the ninth century, and the first
record of the foreigners having plundered
and burned Kildare is refen-ed to A.D. 835
in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i., pp. 452, 453.
5^ In 831, Kildare was plundered by
Ceallach, son of Bran, and again in 835 by
Feidhlimidh. See Dr. O'Donovan's " An-
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 446,
447, 452, .453-
59 In his notes to the foregoing passage,
Colgan remarks, it is not to be understood,
the bishop of Kildare was Archbishop over
all Ireland, but that he only presided over
the Leinster province. Nor did Kildare
always claim the dignity of being a Metro-
politan See. For, St, Fiech, bishop of
Sletty, St. Patrick's disciple, at a previous
period, was styled Archbishop of Leinster.
This Colgan intended to show, in his Acts,
which were to have been published, at the
1 2th of October. After his time, the metro-
political seat is said to have been translated
from Sletty to Kildare. This seems to be
manifest from the foregoing passage. From
Kildare it passed to Ferns, as asserted in
notes to the Life of St. Maidoc, at the 31st
of January, and as promised to be shown,
in those, to be attached to St. Moling's
Life, at the 17th of June, as also to St.
Molua's Acts, at the 4th of August.
Thence it afterwards returned to Kildare.
See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii,, p. 449.
^° From MSS. Cameracen. Wibling. Tre-
verens., it has been printed in the Bollandists'
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., Februarii i.,
Vitaii. S. Brigidge, pp. 135 to 141. It was
edited from a MS., belonging to Preudhome,
a Canon of Arras, collated also with MSS.
belonging to " Monasteriorum S. Maximini,
Treveris, Wiblingensis in Suevia; Bodicensis
in Westphalia, cumque editimibus Canisii e
MS. Aistadiano, et Joannis Colgani ex
MSS. S. Huberti et S. Amandi."
^^ Among these may be noticed : Vita
S. Brigidce, MS. Bodl., Fell. 3 ff. 108-116
b. veil. fol. xi. cent. Also MS. Bibl. Valli-
cellan. ap. Romam., Tom. xxi., ff. 203-207,
fol. veil. xi. cent.
^^ Thus he writes "nullus camalis adver-
sarius, nee concursus timetur hostium." See
Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxxv., p. 524,
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
*3 Could we only trust implicitly this
statement of the O'Clery's Calendar, St.
Ultan's or St. Brogan's Life of St. Brigid
must be the most authentic and valuable of
all her biographies.
^* In a note by Dr. Todd, he says, at this
passage, "This is the first line of the metri-
cal life of St. Brigid, published from the
Book of Hymns, by Colgan ; Trias Thaum.^
P- 515."
^^ In Colgan's work, where such differ-
ences may be noticed.
^^ Dr. Lanigan writes in his "Ecclesias-
tical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii.,
§iii., n. 38, p. 388. "This Life was, I
suspect, patched up in the diocese of Ardagh,
and very probably in an island of Lough
Rie called the Island of All Saints, in which
Augustin Magraiden lived, who, having
compiled Lives of Irish Saints, died A.D.
1405 (Ware's Writers). Colgan got one of
his copies oi^it from the^monastery of that
place,"
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
comprises exceed those in the Fourth Life, by about twenty-three chapters.'^^
Its excess seems estabHshed in point of matter, if not in regard to substantial
accuracy. Colgan was indebted to Father Stephen White^^ for the reception
of that MS. — pubhshed afterwards as the Third Life^9 — with other erudite
communications. White thought, that the author of this Third hfe must
have been either St. Virgil,7° or St. Erard,7^ who were Irishmen. 7= This
Ratisbonne MS., we are told, had been written in Irish characters, and as
supposed, in the tenth or eleventh century.73 A fifth MS. copy of the
Third Life was extant.74 The editor of St. Brigid's Third Life, however,
could not agree with Stephen White, that its authorship was attributable to
either of the Saints named by him.75 The Bollandists7*5 have published the
Life of our Saint attributed to St. Ultan, from a manuscript codex, belonging
to the Church of St. Omer. Some manuscript copies of it are yet preserved
at Oxford.77 That St. Ultan wrote the Acts of St. Brigid, is asserted by
Colgan, on authority of Ussher,78 Ware,79 an author of her life in Irish, and a
certain Scholiast.^° The editor also maintains, that the life written was
identical with that published by him,^^ owing to the probability of some
metrical lines appended being composed by the same author.^^ In the St.
^7 This is Colgan's statement. Yet, it
must refer, not to the relative numerical
divisions of chapters, but to additional mat-
ter in the Third Life.
^^ This learned Irish Jesuit was well
versed in the Antiquities of his native coun-
^ The original manuscript was an old
codex, belonging to the monastery of St.
Magnus, at Ratisbonn, in Bavaria. This
tract Colgan accompanied with various
marginal annotations and readings. These
were partly taken from a MS,, belonging to
the monastery of St. Autbert, at Cambray,
and partly from a MS., preserved at the
Island of all Saints, in Ireland. The Cam-
bray MS. had been furnished by D. Georgeus
Colvenerius, who was distinguished for his
research and love of antiquities ; and besides
the All Saints' MS., received from Longford
County in Ireland, Colgan obtained another
MS. from the Carthusian collection at
Cologne.
7° His Festival occurs on the 27th of
November.
7' His Feast is assigned to the 8th of
January.
7» These flourished in Bavaria, during the
eighth century.
73 The Trinity College Manuscript classed
E. 4, 10 contains, "Vita et Legenda S.
Brigidse Virginis." Ussher supposes this
to have been the Life of St. Brigid, written
by St. Ultan of Ardbraccan. It includes,
also, various readings on the margins, copied
from a more copious old MS., belonging to
the monastery of St. Magnus, tenanted by
the Canons regular of St. Augustine, at
Ratisbon in Bavaria.
74 This belonged to Dunensis monastery
in Flanders. Colgan adds, that we may
fairly infer the author must have lived at a
very remote period, when most of the copies
known had been traced more than five hun-
dred years before his own time, while some
were more than seven hundred years old.
7S Colgan's reason is chiefly a negative
one, viz., because no writer or author had
heretofore stated his having compiled her
biography.
7" See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i.,
Februarii i,. Vita Prima Brigidce, pp. 118
to 135-
77 Among these are : Vita S. Brigidae,
MS. Bodl. Rawl., B. 505, pp. 193-207, fol.
veil. xiv. cent. A similar life in MS. Bodl.
Rawl., B. 485, f. 134, veil. 4to. xiv. cent.,
is extant.
7^ See " De Primordiis Ecclesiarum Bri-
tannicarum," p. 1067.
79 See "De Scriptoribus Hibemioe," lib.
i., cap. iii., pp. 22, 23.
^ While it is admitted, by Dr. Lanigan,
that Ultan of Ardbraccan wrote something
concerning St. Brigid, this learned historian
will not allow either him or any other wri-
ter of the seventh century, to have recorded
the many strange fables, with which it is
crammed. This work he designates as "a
hodge-podge, made up at a late period, in
which it is difficult to pick out any truth,
from amidst a heap of rubbish." It also
differs from the two former tracts, in some
material points. See "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., § II,
n. 18, p. 380.
^' This conclusion is supposed to be fur-
ther warranted, by the usual clause, " Ex-
plicit Vita S. Brigidre," postfixed to the life
of a Saint coming after, and not before that
Hymn, found in the St. Magnus MS., as
written many ages before Colgan's time.
^^ In the opinion of White, Colveneriur>
and Ward.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS,
Aiitbert MS., the Life comes after a " carmen/'^s which follows the Hymn.
Although the author does not give us his name, he nevertheless reveals him-
self as being from the Island Hibernia, and of Irish origin.^* After the last
words, in a life of our sainted Virgin, the author first places her proper
Latin Hymn,^5 and then having completed the Latin lines, he pours forth
prayers to St. Brigid — thus piously invoking her intercession, in the Irish
idiom and character. These circumstances are somewhat remarkable.^^
That St. Ultan was its author, and consequently composer of the Third Life,
seems to be established,^7 from certain remarks of an old Scholiast,^^ on the
same Hymn. Even although the Scholiast doubts, whether St. Nennidius,
St. Fiech, or St. Ultan, be its author, his very words are thought conclusive,
in showing this latter to be the writer, both of the Life and of the Hymn ;
since, he is said to have composed both one and the other, in praise of St.
^3 This piece is headed "Carmen de
eadem (Sci]. S. Brigida) exMSS. Autberti."
Its lines are in Latin, of which we present
the following English version : —
*' Brigid's great name, with double lustre
shines,
Brigid's great name, our love with light
entwines.
A Virgin of the Lord, without, within,
Pure was her soul, preserved from stains
of sin.
A Virgin of the Lord, dear brethren, she
Dead to the world and pride, for Heaven
was free.
Despised she fleeting honours, wealth and
pleasures,
She sought eternal joys, exhaustless trea-
sures.
Then shield us from that future fate we
dread.
When the last Trumpet wakes the buried
dead,
O Virgin, loved by God, bless'd and be-
nign,
O hear thy clients' prayers, nor cease to
offer thine."
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia
Vita S. Brigidas, p. 542, and nn. 82, 83,
p. 545, ibid.
^'^ This is indicated, in the first line.
Colgan says, the Hymn which he published
was found in that Irish MS., commonly
called the Leabhur lomawt, and in Latin,
" Liber Hymnorum," by our national anti-
quaries. In this MS. were also contained
many Hymns, composed by different Irish
Saints. From it, Colgan obtained the la-^^t
line, which was wanting in the St. Magnus
MS.
*5 It has been concluded, that as no
authority states St. Nennidius or St. Fiech
to have written St. Brigid's Acts in a book,
and as it could be shown from written and
from other sources, that St. Ultan wrote her
Acts in one book, and also a Hymn in her
praise ; it would seem, this latter must have
been the author of St. Brigid's Third Life,
published by Colgan, with the metrical lines
postfixed, and that he was composer, both
of the prose life and of the Hymn. See
ibid., n. 80, p. 545.
^^ This metrical composition is headed,
" Hymnus de Brigida Virgine." The lines
run in Latin ; but we have ventured to ren-
der them in the following English version : —
" Those Signs, whereby her wond'rous
pow'r was known
To men, in our Hibernian Isle, were
shown ;
Excelling through great virtues, beamed
on earth
The dawning promise of her heavenly
birth.
Not mighty Brigid's fame, this_ humble
verse
Can fitly celebrate, nor half rehearse,
Our Virgin, type of Mary, myriads found
Eager to praise, and hear her triumphs
sound.
She girt around her, day and night, the
zone
Of chaste desires ; she read and prayed
alone ;
She vigil spent ; as the bright sun on
high
Her radiance warm'd the earth, and fill'd
the sky.
Hear ye the Virgin's praise ! her gifts
proclaim !
The victor's garland twines around that
name.
No void her words and acts e'er left be-
tween
Whose vows to Christ Were pledg'd and
to Heav'n's Queen.
Be gracious then, O sainted Brigid, free
From earthly toils, our pi-ay'rs ascend to
thee ;
Obtain for us, from God, of good the
giver,
Tlie Angel's crown of rest and joy for-
ever."
^^ In Colgan's opinion.
^~^ These comments are given in a note.
10
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
Brigid, and both were contained in one book.^9 Now, it is not rightly
known, that St. Nennidius or St. Fiech wrote a life of St. Brigid, whether in
one tract, or in more
than one part. St.
Ultan — surnamed
likewise Mac
Concubar — bishop
of Ardbraccan, in
Meath, is reputed
to have been St.
Brigid's relative,9°
on her mother's
side.9^ Ware treats
about him and his
'\\Titings.9=»
The Fourth Life
of our saint, as pub-
lished by Colgan,93
and by this latter
writer attributed to
Animosus or Anim-
chad,94 is contained
in two books.95 The
editor of this Trea-
tise says, the Latin-
ized form of Ani-
mosus' name is not
easily recognisable
as an Irish one, al-
though its vernacu-
lar interpretation be
common. This
Latin form, how-
ever, can easily be
resolved into the
name Anmchadh or
Anamchodh. This
Kildare Ruins.
^' The Scholiast even cites a portion of
one line, taken from this Hymn, and which
agrees with what Colgan has published.
9° Ussher writes, that he was descended
from the Conchabar or O'Conor family, to
whom belonged, also, Brodsechain, daughter
to Dallbronaig, and the mother of St. Brigid.
This is given on the authority of a certain
Scholiast in an Irish hymn composed in
praise of Brigid, Some, however, attribute
this to St. Columkille, who lived in the time
of King Aed, son to Ainmirech : while others
ascribe it to Ultan, Bishop of Ardbrechan,
who flourished in the time of the two sons
of Aed Slane. See " De Primordiis Brita-
nicanim Ecclesiarum. " p. 965.
9' Hence, we do not find this relationship
shown in the Pedigrees of St. Brigid, on the
father's side, as given by Dr. Todd in ** St.
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," appendix A,
pp. 247 to 255.
92 See " De Scriptoribus Hibernice," lib.
i., cap. iii., pp. 22, 23.
93 See " Trias Thau maturga." Quarta Vita
S. Brigidae, pp. 546 to 563. Appended notes,
pp. 563 to 566.
9* St. Coelan, or his prologuist, enume-
rates Animosus, among various writers of
St. Brigid's Acts. This is asserted in the
following verses :
" Descripsit multos Animosus nomine libros
De vita, et studiis Virginis, ac mentis,"
&c.
^ec ibid., p. 563. Also, ** Sexta^Vita'S.
Brigidae," p. 582.
95 These comprise, with a Prologue, in the
First Book 52, in the Second Book 100 —
in all 152 chapters. As published in the
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
It
has been applied to various Irish saints of the olden time. To pass over
others, there was a venerable and pious man, who died in the year 980.9'^
He is called Anmchadh, Bishop of Kildare. This prelate is said to have
departed at an advanced age, after the course of his virtuous life in this
world had been completed.97 It has been maintained,^^ that until some other
fairer objections be advanced, these following reasons should lead us to con-
clude, this Anmchadh or Animosus was author of our saint's Fourth Life. In
the first place, circumstances of name and locality favour such a conclusion,
as no one could more appropriately or justly manifest his reverence and de-
votion towards St. Bridget, than a native of Kildare, especially when he was
either a prelate or a monk. As it is related, an Animosus wrote St. Brigid's
Acts, and as a certain prelate of Kildare bore that name, to what other Ani-
mosus than he can we more probably assign the performance of such a task ?
Again, it must be added, the author of this Fourth Life often insinuates, that
he was a monk or prelate of Kildare, and in a Prologue to it, he addresses
certain brethren. 99 It has been concluded,^°° therefore, that he must have
been a monk or an abbot, before he became bishop of Kildare,'°' in accord-
ance with a usage, common to his age and country. In the next place, the
author of St. Brigid's Fourth Life indicates, that he lived so late as the tenth
century, at which period Anmchod of Kildare flourished. '°^ Yet, there are
reasons, also, that can be advanced for a different opinion. The author of
this Fourth Life appears to have written only two books of St. Brigid's Acts ;
whereas, Animosus is said to have written her Acts in several books. This
** Trias Thaumaturga, " however, 22 of these
chapters are wanting in the First Book, See
** Quarta Vita S. Brigidse," Hb. i. p. 547.
^ See O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. ii., pp. 712, 713. The editor
corrects the date 980 by the words, '^\recte
981.]" See also n. (y), ibid.
97 Colgan's Copy of the Four Masters adds,
that he died ' ' in loco, que Kenntar appella-
tur." The latter clause seems to be omitted
in Mr. O'Donovan's copy. " Omnes fere
Hiberniae prselati ex Monachis assumeban-
tur." See Giraldus Cambrensis, Opera,
vol. v. "Topographia Hibernica, Dist. iii.,
cap. xxix. Edition by James F. Dimock,
M.A.
58 By Colgan. The tovm of Kildare has
yet many interesting vestiges of its former
religious establishments. The accompany-
ing engraving, which represents one of these
ruins, has been executed by Mrs. Millard,
from a photograph of Frederick W. Mares,
Dublin.
99 This Preface runs as follows: "My
mind, brethren, is filled with three emotions,
viz. , of love, of shame, and of fear. Love
urges me to write in documents a life of the
illustrious Brigid, lest that great abundance
of virtues, which God's grace conferred on
her, or the many miracles accomplished
through her, should be hidden and unheard.
I feel prevented through shame, lest, as I
suppose, my very plain discourse or poor
judgment, may displease my educated readers
or hearers. Yet, my fear is still greater, for
my weakness of mind in the composition of
such a work presents a danger ; since, I dread
the taunts of critics and enemies tasting my
very small intellectual viands. But, as the
Lord ordered His poor to offer little gifts,
when about to build His tabernacle, ought
we not give ours to build up His church ?
"What is she but a congregation of the just ?
How is a prudent life formed, unless through
the examples and records of the prudent?
Therefore shall I give a first place to love, I
shall trample on shame, and I shall tolerate
the carpers. I adjure you, O wise reader
and intelligent hearer, that you overlook the
text arrangement ; and consider only the
miracles of God and of His blessed hand-
maid. Indeed, every husbandman should
be fed on the fruits drawn from the furrows
of his own field."
^°° By Colgan.
^°^ The " Vita S. Brigidse," by an anony-
mous author, and from a Manuscript belong-
ing to Hugh Ward, has been printed by
Father John Boland in the "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i, Februarii i. Vita iv.,
Lipartita S. Brigida;, pp. 155 to 172. Usher
often cites it as the anonymous or inedited
Life in two books. The author lived before
1 1 52. See Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy's
" Descriptive Catalogue of Materials relating
to the History of Great Britain and Ireland,"
vol. i., part i., pp. 108, 109. The writer
is supposed to be Animosus, by Colgan.
'°' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, n. i., pp. 563.
Also, Harris' Ware, vol. ii., " Writers of
Ireland," Book i., chap, iv., p. 37.
13 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
occurred, before the time in which St. Coelan, or at least the author of that
prologue to his metrical acts of our saint, wrote. Now, Colgan thinks St.
Coelan wrote St. Brigid's Acts previous to a.d. 8oo'°3 in such hypothesis,
it is supposed, that Animosus, who wrote St. Brigid's Acts, must be distin-
guished from Animosus or Animchadh, who died a.d. 980. Again, the Irish
word, Anmire, seems to have an identical meaning with Animosus. At least
four Anmires are enumerated among the saints of Ireland: i. Anmire of
Alech,^°4 2. Anmire of Cluanfoda,''°5 3. Anmire of Ros-hua Chonna,^°^ 4.
Anmire of Rath-nuadha,'°7 It may be argued, that some one of the forego-
ing, or another person, bearing the same name, different from the Animchod,
who died in 980, had been the author of St. Brigid's Acts. The matter re-
mains, not yet fully determined. But the author of St. Brigid's Fourth Life,
whoever he may be, is deemed trustworthy. ^°^ Although he flourished at a
comparatively late period, and wrote in a rude style, his Acts relate, in a more
copious and comprehensive manner, than any other writer's, almost all St.
Brigid's transactions. Also, he gives many particulars, concerning the anti-
quities of Ireland, which, for the most part, are either omitted or obscurely
related, by other biographers. '°9 The Fifth of St. Brigid's Lives, as published
by Colgan, was taken from a Manuscript belonging to the Irish College at
Salamanca"° Although containing fewer Acts and miracles of St. Brigid,
than most of her other Lives ; yet, this biography, making allowance for
many fables,'" surpasses most of them in elegance and correctness of style,
as also in its more systematic and complete arrangement. "^ For these
reasons, it seems more suited for reading in the refectoiies of religious com-
munities. It came into Colgan's hands, in an imperfect state ;"3 yet, he
thought, that not more than the first, and a part of its second chapter, had
been wanting. "4 The editor endeavoured to supply such missing portions
in that distinctive character, known as the Italic ; while special titles are pre-
fixed by him to the several chapters, and placed in the margin. He thinks
there can be no question about the author being Laurence of Durham. "5
This, it is supposed, can be shown, from the elegant style, nationality of
authorship, and the period, in which it had been written ; for, in the second
chapter, its author indicates his being an Englishman, and that he composed
this life, after the Normans came to England. He likewise wrote it before
the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Now, as he flourished after the year
1065 — "^ about which date the Norman conquest of England commenced —
'°3 This he endeavours to show, in his notes to 1 85.
to "Sexta Vita S. Brigidae," nn. I, 2, 3, pp, "3 As this Manuscript was acephalous, its
596 to 598, "Trias Thaumaturga." author's name had not been found prefixed.
'^^ His feast is celebrated on the loth of "* The following MSS. copies of this life
June. are extant : Vita S. Brigidce, auctore Lau-
'°5 This saint is commemorated on the rentio Dunelmensi, MS. Salmanticensis,
1 5th of September. published by Colgan and Bollandus. Defi-
'°'' His festival occurs on the 25th of Sep- ciencies in this may be supplied from the
tember. following copies in Latin : Vita S. Brigittae
'°7 This saint's feast is held on the 20th of Virginis a Laurentio Dunelmensi. MS.
November. Bodl. Laud. Mis. 668 (1052) 106. veil. 4to
""^ Such is Colgan's expressed opinion. XIL cent. Again, S. Brigidic Vita per Lau-
*°9 So far as came under Colgan's observa- rentium Dunelmensem, pracvia Epistola ad
tion. Ethelredum Dispensatorem. MS. Coll.
"° Therefore it is called by him the Sala- Balliol. ccxxvi. f. 86-94. veil, fol, dble. col.
mancan Manuscript. XHL cent. Tanner refers to both of these
"'See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical copies in his " Bibliotheca," p. 472.
History of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, viii., sec. "s This writer is known to have flourished
ii., n. 18,, p. 381. about the year 1140, and he wrote a singu-
"=^ This Life has been printed in the Bol- larly learned and eloquent Life of St. Brigid
landists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., Feb- complete, in one book,
ruarii i., Vita v., S. Brigidae Virg. pp. 172 ""Dr. Lingard assigns the battle of Hast-
I
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
and prior to the iiyi,"^ when the English invasion of Ireland began ; it
appears probable enough, that the author of St. Brigid's Fifth Life must have
been the aforesaid Laurence of Durham. The Sixth Life of St. Brigid,"^ is
a long poem, written in Latin Hexameter verse. The editor supposes St.
Cholian or Coelan, a monk of Inis-Keltra monastery, on the Shannon, to
have been its author."^ It was published from an old Manuscript, belonging
to the library of Monte Cassino, and it had been collated, with a copy taken
from the Vatican library, as also with various other Manuscript exemplars.
In the first note, post-fixed to our Saint's Sixth Life, we are told, that over
three months before, when Colgan had begim passing St. Brigid's Acts
through the press, he received from the Rev. Father Bernard Egan,"° a certain
fragment of this biography. '^^ A prologue is prefixed, commencing with
•' Finibus occiduis," &c. This latter is supposed to have been a composition
of St. Donatus,^^^ Bishop of Fesule, in Tuscany,'^3 and who flourished in the
ninth century. But, the life itself was marked, as having been written by a
monk of Iniskeltra, in Lough Derg, and who was named Chilien. This
writer Colgan conjectures to have been the same as Coelan of Iniskeltra, who
was known in the eighth century.'^^ But, with much apparent truth,^^5 this
fragment has been referred to a later period, in which it is suspected its
author lived. Dr. Lanigan believes, that if Chilien lived in the eighth cen-
tury,"^ it must have been in the latter part; although this historian does not
think it worth while, to enter upon a long discussion regarding him."7
Having received this Sixth Life, from the Cassinian MS., and through
the zealous Father already mentioned, three other counterpart copies of
these same Acts were procured. One copy came from the Vatican Librar)*-,
one from the Library of his Eminence Anthony Barberini, and a third was
sent by the celebrated Franciscan Father, Luke Wadding. All these copies
ings to the 14th of October, A.D. 1066. See ^^-^ Dr. Lanigan thinks, that the circum-
*' History of England," vol. i,, chap, vi., p. stance of Chilien calling the mother of St.
309. Brigid a countess seems to indicate a com-
^'7 Henry II. landed at Waterford on the paratively late period for this composition.
i8th of October, A.D. 1 171. See Rev. John "^s Speaking about Donat, Bishop of
O'Hanlon's " Catechism of Irish History," Fiesole, who flourished in the ninth century,
Lesson xiii,, p. 116. Harris observes : '* He seems also to have
^'^ As published by Colgan. been the author of a Description of Ireland,
^*9 In Harris' Ware, Chaelian or Coelan, in Hexameter and Pentameter verse ; or
a monk of the Abbey of Inis-Keltra, in the rather the Life of St. Brigid, containing a
diocese of Killaloe, and who wrote the Life Description of Ireland, of which Colgan
of St. Brigid in verse, is said to have been a hath given as a fragment, which is prefixed
contemporary with yEngus Mac-Tiprait, who also as a prologue to the Life of St. Brigid,
died 745. The festival of this Chilien is supposed to be written by St. Chaelan."
assigned to the 29th of July in our domestic See Harris' Ware, *' Writers of Ireland,"
Martyrologies. vol. ii., chap, iv., p. 47, and chap, vi.,
'^° He was a Benedictine Abbot and an p. 57.
Irishman. ^^^ This Chilien, whether author or not of
'^^ It commences with these verses : both the prologue and Life — as stated in his
" Quadam forte die sanctus Patricius almus "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita S.
Gemma sacerdotum synodali carmine Brigidse, nn. I, 2, 3, p. 597 — was, in CoI«
sedit," &c. gan's opinion, the same as Coelan of Inis-
From a hurried reading, it was thensupposed, Keltra, who seems to have flourished in the
that the poem in question began with these eighth century. See " Ecclesiastical History
lines, and Colgan stated as much in the com- of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. ii., n.
mon preface to St. Brigid's Acts. But he 18., p. 381. But, Bollandus thought him to
afterwards discovered his mistake, when this be a different person. See "Acta Sancto*
holy virgin's five first lives had been printed. rum," Februarii, tomus i. Vita S. Brigidae.
^-^ See his Life at the 22nd of October. Commentaria Prrevia, sec. 2.
*^3See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," '"7 See "Ecclesiastical History of Ixt-
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. land," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. ii., n, 18, p.
XX., p. 255. 381.
14 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
were diligently collated by the editor, who found them severally mutilated,
worn, abounding in false emendations of librarians, or commentators, de-
formed with verbal transpositions and changes,, to such a degree, that the
sense of some verses could not be discovered, while the proper number of
feet and the requisite syllabic measure were wanting, in many lines. "^ Yet,
through the collector's great industry, who observed closely the discrepancy
in his copies, we are indebted for the pubHcation of this old Tract. The
editor endeavoured to follow authorities he considered most authentic, in his
several copies ; for he observed, that in many instances, the just number and
measure of the verse could be found in some particular Manuscripts, while in
others they were expressed, sometimes by abbreviations, again by a transpo-
sition of words, and often by some closing or arbitrary notation. The lines
were frequently found so greatly mutilated, that they bore a prosaic rather
than a metrical appearance. So many omissions and licences on the
part of copyists were detected, that the editor felt obliged to affix various
marginal annotations to this poem. "9 Not alone through the incautiousness
of copyists — a fruitful source of error in old documents — many transpositions
of words had been introduced, and certain synonymous terms were substituted
for others ; but, besides, many abbreviations of doubtful meaning were found,
while these left the sense imperfect. ^3© Even unaccountable caprice and
mutilations caused some of the chapters to be' acephalous or truncated, while
some were altogether omitted, as might be seen in the still imperfect and
published Sixth Life.^3^ There certain lines are subjoined from the Barberini
Manuscript, and which were wanting in that of Monte Cassino, while breaks are
discoverable in the narrative and structural course of the poem.^32 Although
many particulars relating to St. Brigid are found in the Five first Lives, as
published by Colgan, and which are missing in the Sixth ;'33 yet, the editor sup-
poses this attributable to no other cause, than to the deplorable liberties taken
by scribes or librarians. Here and there have been detected many elisions
and erasures. It can scarcely be doubted, that these manipulators altoge-
ther pretermitted other matters. As this old and careful writer relates, many
of St. Brigid's Acts were left out by others, and as it is indicated in the Pro-
logue, that he read her Lives written by St. Ultan, Eleran and Animosus ;
*=' But for such defects, it must have been immediately afterwards, verses were maimed
extremely valuable. in prosodial number and quantity, while
"9 He did not alter the poem in the they were disfigured with blots. Colgan
slightest tittle, except in those instances, tells us he published the poem, as he found it,
w^here noted and obvious omissions of copy- changing nothing therein, \i'\\\\ only the
ists had left discrepancies between certain foregoing exceptional emendations,
parts and lines, or had so crudely amended '3^ This is noticed by the editor in a great
them, that it could readily be conjectured variety of instances.
these emendations did not represent the *33 Colgan 's divisions of the six lives are as
original writer's words. follow, viz. : First. The Metrical life, 53
*3o It was not possible for the industry or stanzas of four lines each, Irish with Latin
research of either collator or editor, to repair translation. Secondly. The Second Prose
so many mistakes, or restore so many omis- life has 36 chapters, with a prologue,
sions. Wherefore, Colgan only endeavoured Thirdly. The Third Prose life has 131 chap-
to place in due order, those words which ters, with supplementary metrical lines,
seemed transposed, in certain passages, and Fourthly. The Fourth Prose life is divided
cautiously to substitute others in place of into two books — the first book containing
certain contracted words, doubtful in the 52 chapters, and the last 100. It is prefaced
reading, or which through the error of the hy a prologue. Fifthly. The Fifth Prose
copyists were put for terms having a sup- life comprises 58 chapters. Sixthly. The
posed affinity. Sixth Metrical life contains 68 sections —
*3i Here and there, certain elegant and more or less imperfect — with prefatory and
glowing phrases were found, especially in supplementary lines,
descriptive and metaphorical passages ; then
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
IS
hence, it cannot be supposed, he would have passed over so many accounts,
faithfully related by various other writers, or that he would not have included
several accounts, not given by them. ^34
The Lives of St. Brigid, published by Colgan, are not the only authorities
available for her Acts. In the Book of Lismore, which had been written^35
for Mac Carthy Reagh, or Finghen Mac Diarmata, and which is now the
Duke of Devonshire's property, there is an Irish sermon on the Life of St.
Brigid. '36 This has been translated into English,'37 transcribed, and collated
with a similar copy, but having varied readings, in the Leabhar Breac.'38
Besides these, there were many lives of St. Brigid, written in the Irish
tongue. Four only of these, however, came into Colgan's hands.'39 There
is scarcely any considerable library in which the Acts of St. Brigid will not
be found. Her memory likewise has been commemorated by a Divine Office,
not only throughout the whole of Ireland, but even in many Dioceses of
England, Scotland, Belgium, France and Germany, ^^o
A Life of St. Brigid has been inserted in the collection of John Cap-
grave, ^^i This is taken apparently from the work of Cogitosus.^^^ A certain
anonymous writer edited a Life of St. Brigid, in German, and this was
printed at Augusta, in 1478.^43 Another biography of the Saint had been
printed'44 at Argentineans Valentinus Leuctius, in his work, " De Sanctis,"
has special reference to St. Brigid. In addition to those tracts already
mentioned, Vincentius Bellovacensis^'^^ wrote a summary of St. Brigid's Acts
in his book. ^47 St. Antoninus'^s has also treated about this illustrious
Virgin.^'^9 Guido de Castris,'5o Petrus de Natalibus,'5i John of Tinmouth,'52
Surius,'53 in two different acts,'54 Harseus, Messingham,^55 Cornelius Grasius/56
*34 Such is Colgan's expressed opinion.
He supposes such omissions ax'e attributable
rather to incompetent commentators than to
the original author.
^35 By Aonghus O'Calladh.
^36 At folio 53, col. 2, of this MS., there
is a Gaelic entry given in J. T. Gilbert's
"History of the Viceroys of Ireland,"
notes to chap, xi,, p. 603. The following
is an English translation : " Let every one
who shall read this Life of [Saint] Brigid
give a blessing on the souls of the couple for
whom it was written."
^31' By Professor Bryan O'Looney of the
Catholic University, who has obligingly
lent his Irish transcript, with his English
translation, to the writer.
^38 Belonging to the koyal Irish Academyy*
^39 As they contained, for the most ^^?^
only particulars, which were to be -found in
various Acts published by him, Colgan
thought it quite unnecessary to present more
than an Irish Hymn, composed by St.
Brogan, with its Latin version.
*4° See, "Trias Thaumaturga." Tertia
Vita S. Brigidse, n. 7, p. 543. Quarta Vita
S. Brigidae, nn, 15, 16, p. 564, ibid. Quinta
Vita S. Brigidse, cap. viii., p. 569, and nn.
9, II, p. 640, ibid.
'''♦' In his "Nova Legenda Anglise" we
find " Vita S. Brigidse Virginis," fol, xlix.,
1., li., Kalendas Februarii. See notices of
this work and of the writer in S. Austin
Allibone's "Critical Dictionary of English
Literature," &c., vol. i., p. 336.
'42 Agreeing with it is the MS. Cott.
Tiber., E. i., ff. 32-34.
^"♦3 This was probably Triers, in Germany,
although many towns bear a similar Latin
name.
^'♦4 A.D. 1506.
'■♦s Probably this was Argentan, in Lower
Normandy, or Argenton, of the Orleannois,
in France.
146 Qr Vincent De Beauvais, a French
Dominican savant, who lived from about
1 190 to 1264. See Laurence E. Phillips'
"Dictionary of Biographical Reference," p.
937.
'47 See "Speculum Historise," lib. xxii.,
cap. 29.
'48 He died the 2nd of May, A. D. 1459.
His feast is kept on the loth of May.
'49 In "Cronicon," pars, ii., tit. xii.,
cap, 6.
'5° Abbot of St. Denis, who wrote, " De
Vitis Sanctorum."
'S' Lib. iii., cap. 69.
'52 In " De Sanctis Britannise."
'53 See "De Probatis Sanctorum Histo*
riis," &c., tomus i., pp. 806 to 809.
Cologne Edition, A.D. 1576. In the other
edition I Februarii, pp. 19 to 25.
'54 The first of these is comprised in fifteen
paragraphs, and the second in thirty-two
paragraphs.
'55 See "Florilegium Ins ulse Sanctorum,"
pp. 189 to 207.
'5^ At the 1st of Februar)'.
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
\
^z. have all made their respective commemorations of her. Robert of
Gloucester's? \\Tote a Biography of this venerable Virgin, and some manu-
script copies of it are preserved/^s The Right Rev. David Rothe, bishop
of Ossory, published a beautiful dissertation, intitled, " De Brigida Thauma-
turga."'S9
Likewise, in the " Hystorie Sanctorum," published at Louvain,'^° we have
a short biography of this most pious virgin. In Lippeloo's Collections'^'
the Acts of St. Brigid are to be met with.'^^ Also, in the " Breviary of
Aberdeen,"'63 the Life and Miracles of this holy virgin are recorded in six
Lessons. '^+ In a Latin translation,'^5 with additions to that celebrated work
of the Spanish Jesuit, Father Ribadenira,'^^ the editor has placed this lily of
virgins in his Flower-Garden of the Saints. '^7 Canon Giacomo Certani'^^
has written her Acts in Italian. '^9 Lives of St. Brigid were published by
Henry Adrian and Herbert Rosweyde,'7o in Flemish. A Father Robert
Rochfort, formerly Rector of the Franciscan College at Louvain, wrote in
English, a Life of this illustrious virgin. The Bollandists'7i have published
various acts of this holy virgin. After having given a previous commentary
in fourteen chapters and one hundred and fourteen paragraphs, with six
lessons from an office, their First Life contains seventeen chapters and one
hundred and fourteen sections ; a Second Life contains eight chapters and
40 sections; a Third Life in metre has ten chapters and seventy-two
sections ; a Fourth Life is in two Books — the first Book containing 5 chap-
ters and 55 sections — the second Book 12 chapters and 82 sections ; while
a Fifth Life of St. Brigid is comprised in 15 chapters and 93 sections.'?*
'57 He died about 1290. See Laurence
E, Phillips' "Dictionary of Biographical
Reference," p. 800.
^58 Among these are written in old English
a MS. C.C.C. Cant. 145, veil. sm. fol., xiv.
cent., apparently by Robert of Gloucester. It
commences with the words : — " Sain Bride
that holi maide of Irlonde was," &c.
Another copy, with some differences of
reading, is a MS. Ashmole 43, ff. 15-18, b.
veil. 8vo, circa A.D. 1300. Again, there
is another old English Life of S. Bride,
with an illumination of the saint very fairly
executed. It is classed MS. Bodl. Tanner.
17, f. 12, veil, fol., XV. cent. Also, a MS.
Bodl. Laud. Misc. 463 (1596), ff. 6-9, vel.
fol., xiv. cent. Another Life of S. Brigid
(old English) MS. Bodl. 779 (2567), ff. 127,
b. — 128 b. paper folio, xv. cent. The fore-
going seem to be different copies of Robert
of Gloucester's Life of St. Brigid, with some
differences in the text.
'59 Nearly all of these tracts were issued
in the Latin language.
"** There occurs, Brigida Virgo, at fol.
XX., xxi.
"" See *' VitK Sanctorum," vol. i.
'^» At the 1st of February, pp. 553, 558.
**3 This was first printed in 1509. The
Bollandists have reprinted from it the six
Lessons of St. Brigid's Office in "Acta
Sanctorum," tomus i., Februarii i., Com-
mentarius proevius, § xv., p. 118.
'** The Breviary of Aberdeen has been
teprinted, under the Editorship of the Rev,
William Blew, in two vols., 410, double
cols.
^*s Published at Cologne, A. D. 1630,
" apud Joannem Kinkium sub Monocerote."
This translation purports to give useful notes
and the festivals of recent saints. It con*
tains a double Index of Saints, and of sub*
jects for preachers.
'^^ In the second part of the Latin version
of Ribadeneira's "Flos Sanctorum," &c.,
we have a Life of St. Bridget, at the 1st of
Febraary, pp. 82, 83. See his biogi-aphy
in Rees' "Cyclopaedia," vol. xxx., sub voce
" Ribadeneira. "
•^7 In the Dublin edition of an English
translation of Ribadeneira, the Life of St.
Brigid is not found.
'"^ He lived about 1670. See Phillips'
" Dictionary of Biographical Reference," p.
'^ His work, in a 4to volume, is intituled,
"La Santita Prodigiosa, Vita di S. Brigida
Ibemese."
'7° This celebrated Dutch hagiogi-apher
lived from 1569 to 1629. See Phillips*
" Dictionary of Biographical Reference," p.
811.
'7' See Rees' "Cyclopaedia," vol. iv., sub
voce, " Bollandists."
'7=* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., i.
Februarii, Vita S. Brigidre, pp. 99 to 185.
In the Addenda to this Tome are to be
found two paragraphs referring to St. Brigid,
pp. 941, 942.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
17
Adrien Baillet has written her Life, in the French Language,^73 and included
it in his hagiographical work. ^74 Bishop Challoner^^s has inserted a Life of
St. Brigide or Bride, Virgin and Abbess, at the ist of February. '76 The
Rev. Alban Butler has some brief notices of the Saint in his work.^77 Also,
among the Irish Cistercian Monk's extracts from the same, an account has been
reproduced. '78 a very elegantly written biography of the Virgin Abbess
Bridget has been composed by the Rev. S. Baring-Gould. '79 Bishop Forbes
has likewise inserted her Acts.'^°
Hardly any important collection of Manuscripts can be met with, in
which we do not find some Acts or memorials of the great St. Brigid.*^^
Several Lives and Hymns relating to this holy Virgin, and in the native
language, are to be found among those Tracts, '^^ contained in the Royal
Irish Academy's Library. Among the Messrs. Hodges' and Smith's Collec-
tion of Irish Manuscripts belonging to this noble national institution,
there is an Irish Life of St. Brigid.^^3 Another small quarto paper Manu-
script contains an Irish Life of this holy Virgin. ^^^ Besides these, we find a
third Irish Life of St. Brigid,'^^ in this collection alone. Again we meet
with two paper Manuscripts — one small, ^^^ the other a folio^^7 — belonging to
the Royal Irish Academy, and containing a Life of St. Brigid in Irish. The
Library of Trinity College,^^^ Dublin, has another interesting collection of
documents, which serves to illustrate her Acts. ^^9 The Irish Catholic
University Library has some modern Manuscripts, relating to the Life of
this Virgin Saint. Archbishop Marsh's Library furnishes an old Manuscript
Life of St. Brigid. '9° English collections, '9^ as among those of Oxford, Cam-
^73 At the 1st of February, in Baillet's
*' Les Vies cles Saints," appears an account
of St. Brigid, Virgin, Abbess of Kildare,
and Patroness of Ireland. Tome i., pp.
24 to 26.
^74 It seems strange that an account of this
is omitted, when treating about the author's
other works in the "New and General
Biographical Dictionary," &c,, vol. ii., pp.
24 to 27. London, 1798.
*75 His Life, written in English by his
Vicar-General, James Bernard, appeared at
London, a.d. 1784, in 8vo. See Feller's
*' Dictionnaire Historique," tome iv., p. 296.
Paris edition, 1827, etseq., 8vo.
'76 See "Britannia Sancta," parti., pp.
91 to 95.
'77 In Butler's " Lives of the Fathers,
Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol.
ii,, at the 1st of February, is entered St.
Bridget, or Bride, V. Abbess, and Patron of
Ireland.
^78 See " Lives of the Irish Saints," &c.,
pp. 9, 10.
'79 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii.,
February I, pp. 14 to 22.
'8° See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
pp. 287 to 291.
'^' The large folio vellum MS., in the
R. I. A. copy of "Leabhar Breac," con-
tains a Life of St. Bridget. No. 40, 6.
^^^ Some compositions in Latin regarding
her are also preserved. The xviii. vol. of
O'Longan MSS. in the R. I. A. contains,
Hymnus de virtutibus et miraculis sanctse
Brigidse Kildariensis abbatissse et Patronae
a Sancto Brigano, p. 82. Vol. xLi. of
Vol. It
O'Longan MSS. in the R. I. A. contains a
copy of St. Brogan's short poem on St.
Brigid, seven quatrains, p. 143. The XLI.
vol. of O'Longan MSS. in the R. I. A.
contains St. Brogan's Hymn to St. Brigid,
published by Colgan, p. 144. The Liv.
vol. of O'Longan MSS. in the R. I. A. con-
tains a poem on St. Brigid, improperly
ascribed to St. Suibne, the son of Colman,
p. 176.
'^3 This is numbered 12.
'^4 This is numbered 165.
^^5 This is numbered 168.
'^^ This is classed No. 49, 4.
*^7 This is classed No. 39, 6.
^^^ Here are tracts : — De S. Brigida.
MS. Trin, Coll. Dublin. 290. Miracula
B. Brigidee, MS. Trin. Coll. Dublin. 647.
Vita S. Brigid^, MS. Trin. Coll. Dubhn.
647. This is a transcript from the Cotto-
nian MS. Nero., E. i.. No. 316. Also Vita
S. Brigid^, MS. Trin. Coll. Dublin. This
is a transcript from a Ratisbon Manuscript,
with emendations by Ussher. See Sir
Thomas Duffus Hardy's " Descriptive
Catalogue of Materials Relating to the
History of Great Britain and Ireland," vol.
L, part i., p. 114.
'«9 The Trinity College MS., classed H.
I. II, contains I. A Life of St. Brigid, ac-
cording to the accounts of learned antiqua-
rians and handed down by tradition. It
begins, -peAccuf -oo "oubcAc.
'9° It is classed, "Vita S. Brigidae,"
Virg. vol. 3, 4, 23. MSS.
'9' The following are among these : —
Vita S. Brigidse, Scotice-Mutila MS. Insul.
C
i8
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
bridge, the British Museum'92 and Lambeth, as also Scotch and European^93
Libraries, are stored with different Acts of this illustrious Saint. There is an
Irish Life of St. Brigid, transcribed by Michael O'Clery, and kept among the
MS. records of the Burgundian Library, at Bruxelles.'s* If all these public
collections could be examined and compared, there can hardly be a doubt,
but much valuable matter might be evolved, to place her history in a truer
light than has yet been obtained. Those documents prove, likewise, that
her fame was by no means confined to Ireland. *95 Indeed, it may be said,
hardly any Saint in the universal Church was more renowned during the
Middle Ages, than Ireland's great Patroness ; and the prodigies recorded
concerning her sufficiently manifest that special devotion entertained for her
memory by numberless clients and admirers. Her memorials also have been
succinctly related in various Breviaries : viz. in the old Roman one, published
at Venice in 1522 ; in that printed at Genoa, Italy; in a Breviary issued at
Cornouaille, in British Armorica ; in that produced at Mons, by the Canons
Regular; in that pubHshed at Paris, a.d. 1622, and intended for Kildare
diocese ; as also in others published at Wurtzburgh, at Triers, and at other
places in Germany. ^9*5 Besides these the Breviary of Kilmoon Church, in
Ireland, contained an Office for St. Brigid.^97 it appears to have consisted of
Nine Lessons, with Responses, Antiphons and musical Notation, but it is
very much mutilated and defaced.
apud Claudium : Doresmieulx. See " Bi-
bliotheca Belgica Manuscripta," p. 266.
Legenda in Festo S. Brigittae MS. Arundel
198, f. 19 b. This is a short lection and of
no great value. Vita S. Brigidse MS.
Lambeth. 94, 18, f, 155. Vita S. Brigidse
MS. Bodl. Laud. Misc. 108 (i486) ff. 93 b.
94 b. veil. fol. xiv. cent. This is written
in old English. Vita S. Brigid^ MS. Harl.
2800, 28, ff. 74 b. 83 b. Vita S. Brigidse.
MS. Bodl. Tanner. 15 f. 86. Vita S.
Brigidse Virginis. MS. Cott. Nero. E. i.
29, ff. 134 b. 140. Life of Brigid. MS.
Phillips, 10294, 8vo paper, xix. cent. Copy
of a MS. belonging to the Duke of Devon-
shire. Vita S. Brigidae. MS. Eccl. Lincoln,
folio. See Haenel " Catalogus Librorum
Manuscriptorum," p. 799. Vita S. Brigidse,
auctore Hugbaldo monacho Elnonensi MS.
Caenob. Elnonensis, 251. Vita S. Brigidse.
MS. Clarendon, 65, f. 4. See Sir Thomas
Duffus Hardy's " Descriptive Catalogue of
Materials relating to the History of Great
Britain and Ireland," vol. i., parti., pp. in
to 1 14.
'9^ Among the Clarendon Manuscripts,
formerly the property of Sir James Ware,
are Excerpts from ** Vita S. Brigidse," and
a"VitaS. Brigidffi."
*9^ In the various European Libraries we
have been enabled to trace the following
copies :— Vita S. Brigidae MS. Regensburg.
Vita S. Brigittse fragmentum. We find
appended, «' Hujus vitse auctor est, ni fallor,
Hugbaldus Elnonensis, Monachus. MS.
Bibl. du Roi. 2999, 3. olim Le Tellier veil.
XI. cent. Vita S. Brigidse Virginis. MS.
Bibl. du Roi. 3788, 42. olim Colbert, veil,
xu. cent. Yita S. Brigidse, Virginis. MS.
Bibl. du Roi. 3800. a. 7. olim de Bethune.
veil. xiii. cent. Vita Sanctse Brigidse, MS.
Bibl. du Roi. 5269, 21, olim Faurian.
veil, xiv, cent. Vita S. Brigidse Virginis.
MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5278, 23. olim Colbert,
veil. xiii. & xiv. cent. Vita S. Brigidse,
Virginis. MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5292, 48.
olim Colbert, veil. xiii. cent. Vita S.
Brigidae, Virginis. MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5318,
60. olim Bigot, veil. xiii. cent. Vita S.
Brigidse, Virginis. MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5352,
I. olim Colbert, veil. xiv. cent. Vita
Brigidse, MS. Petavii in Vaticana, 507.
Vita S. Brigidae, MS. Bibl. Monast. S.
Audoeni Rothomag, 104. Vita Brigidse
MS. Monast. de Becco, 128. Vita S.
Brigidse. MS. Vatican, 4872. MS. Vati-
can, 6074. MS. Vatican, 6075. Vita S.
Brigittae. MS. Vallicellan. ap. Rom. H. 12,
f. 195. MS. Vallicellan. ap. Rom. H. 25,
f. 43. MS. Vallicellan. ap. Rom. H. 28, f.
105. Vita S. Brigittae. MS. Palatin, 863.
Vita S. Brigidae. MS. Laureatianae Medi-
ceas in bibl. Florentiae iv. 323. Cod. xx.
Vita S. Brigidae. MS. Monast. S. Gisleni
in Cella. See Sir Thomas Duffus Hardy's
"Descriptive Catalogue of Materials relating
to the History of Great Britain and Ireland,
vol. i., part, i., pp. 114 to 116.
^94 Vol. xi., fol. I.
»95 Among the Bruxelles MSS., in the
Burgundian Library, there is a tract " S.
Brigidse Vita," vol. iv., part i., p. 24.
'9" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita S. Brigidae. Appendix Tertia, cap. i.,
pp. 609, 610.
'97 See Trinity College MS., classed B, I,
5, at fol. 114 b,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
19
The less remote genealogies of Ireland's kings, chiefs, and saints are
found to harmonize in a remarkable manner with each other. Nor can we
regard more ancient pedigrees and traditions as mere fabrications. '^s Ac-
cording to Cogitosus and Animosus, St. Brigid was descended from
Feidlimidh Rechtmar or the Law-giver, ^99 through the line of Ethach,2°<» qj.
Eochaidh^°^Finn Fothart, his son, who was brother to the celebrated
Conn of the Hundred Battles, King of Ireland.=°^ The family to which our
saint belonged was formerly very celebrated, and a powerful one, belonging
to the Province of Leinster. In Irish song and story, bards and senachies
had proclaimed their renown. The genealogists of Ireland have been careful
to record St. Brigid's descent, ^°3 which in the direct line from her paternal
progenitor, Eochaidh Finn Fothart, was illustrated by holy persons, as well
as by heroes. ''°4 The various Irish pedigrees and kalendars enumerate not
less than fourteen — Colgan''°5 only enters thirteen — saints, ^°'^ who had been
descended from Eochaidh Finn. Two of these named in the list are sup-
posed, however, to have been of a different family. St. Gall, Patron of
Switzerland, ^°7 and his brother Deicolus, Abbot of Lure^°^ have been con-
jecturally added to the foregoing number. The following is the order of pa-
ternal descent, traced for St. Brigid. To Eochaidh Finn was born a son,
named Aongus Meann. He had a son Cormac, whose son Cairpre Niadh
was father to Art Corb, whose son was Conleach or Conla. To the latter
was born a son. Den, the father of Bresal, who was the father of Demri.*°9
^98 See Rev. Dr. Todd's "St. Patrick,
Apostle of Ireland." Appendix to Intro-
duction, A, p. 247.
'99 King of Ireland, from A.D. 164 to 174,
according to O'Flalierty's chronology. See
"Ogygi^j" P3-'*s- iii-j cap. Ivii., pp. 306 to
308. In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," however, his reign is placed
much earlier, viz., from A.D. no to 1 19.
See vol. i., pp. 100 to 103. Having enacted
a law of retaliation for the repression of
various crimes, this king died a natural
death, after a reign of nine years. Cathaeir
Mor, or the Great, succeeded, according to
Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters." After a reign of three years, we
are informed, that he was slain in the battle
of Magh-h-Agha, by Conn of the Hundred
Fights and by the Fian or militia of Luaighne,
A.D. 122. See ibid., pp. 102, 103.
'"^ See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Secunda
Vita S. Brigidas, cap. i., p. 519.
=°' See ibid. Quarta Vita S. Brigida,
cap. i., p. 546.
^°^ From A.D. 177 to 211, according to
O'Flaherty's "Ogygia," pars, iii., cap. Ix.,
Ixi., pp. 313 to 318. Dr. O'Donovan's
"Annals of the Four Masters" has it from
A.D. 123 to 157. See vol. i., pp. 103 to
105.
^°3 Among the St. Gall manuscripts like-
wise there is a " Genealogia S. Brigidse."
='°'* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap.
ii., p. 613.
^°5 He remarks, that the Natales for most
of those saints are found entered in the
Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Marianus
0'Gorman,of Cathald Maguire, and of Done-
gal.
=°^ The following is a list of the saints and
their places, with presumed days for their fes-
tivities. I. St. Aidan, venerated on the 27th
of August, or on the 4th of September, at a
place called Cluain Tarbh, or Clontarf. 2.
St.Berchan,also called MobiClairenachjVene-
rated on the 12th of October, at Glasnevin.
3. St. Barrindus, of Achadh-Cailltin, at
the 8th of November. 4. St. Colman, of
Airthir Femhin. 5. St. Declan, of Ard-
more, venerated on the 24th of July. But,
from the life of this latter saint, which
Colgan intended to publish at that day, it
would seem, Declan and his brother Colman
are not derived from the race of Eochad, as
the author of the " Sanctilogic Genealogy"
writes, but rather from the posterity of his
brother Fiach Sugdhe. 6. St. Diman,
bishop, who was venerated on the 9th, or
on the 22nd, of March. 7. St. Enan, of
Drum Rath, venerated on the 19th of August.
8. St. Fechin, of Fore, venerated on the
20th of January. 9. St. Finbarr or Fionub-
har. Abbot of Inis Doimhle, venerated on
the 4th of July. 10. St. Fintan, Abbot of
Clonenagh, venerated on the 17th of Feb-
ruary. II. St. Finan, venerated on the
13th of February, or on the 4th of October.
12. St. Mochuan. 13. St. Samata, who
was venerated on the 1 6th of April. See
Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." Appendix
Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. iii., p.
613.
^°7 See his Life at the i6th of October.
=°8 See his Life at the i8th of January.
'«^ This accords with the Irish Life of St.
20
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
The son of this latter was 6ubtach, the father of St. Brigid.=^° Thus was
the illustrious virgin eleventlTm Imeal descent, from the renowned Feidlimidh
Rechtmar,*" or the Lawgiver,^^^ King of Ireland, in the second century of
our Christian era.^^3 It would seem, that on our saint's maternal side, Brigid
was descended from the O'Connor family.'^4 The mother of this holy virgin
is incorrectly called Brocea, Brocaj^^'s or Brocessa, by Cogitosus, and by
some foreign writers. But, by most of our native authorities, she is more
correctly named Brotseach,^^^ or Brocseach.=^7 The sister of this Brotseach
appears to have been Fanchea, the mother of three holy sons.^'^ The
Calendar of the O'Clerys states, that Broiccseach,=^9 daughter of Dallbronach,
son to Aedh Meamhair,=^2o ^^^g ^^ mother of this most renowned virgin.
Such a respectable pedigree is alone sufficient to disprove an assertion ot
certain writers recording our saint's acts, that her mother was of servile con-
dition. Both her parents are called Christians, and they are reputed to
have been of noble birth."^ It seems probable enough, they may have been
among St. Patrick's converts, when he spent some time in Loutli, before re-
turning to the North from his southern missionary travels. Besides the
Brigid, in the "Book of Lismore" and in
the ** Leabhar Breac" according to Professor
O'Looney's copy, pp. 3, 4.
*'° Such is her line as traced in the
** Sanctilogic Genealogies," chapter xv.
Cormac Mac Cuillenan, in his treatise on
" Genealogies of the Saints," contained in
the "Psalter of Cashel," assigns the same
descent on the father's side, for St. Brigid.
In this particular, Dr. Geoffry Keating
agrees with the foregoing authorities. See
Dermod O'Connor's Keating's "General
History of Ireland," part ii., p. 389.
2" In the Fourth Life of St. Brigid, it is
said, he was thus named, because he effected
great law reforms in his kingdom of Ireland,
while * ' Reacht" of the Scotic dialect in
Latin is identical with "lex." In English
it means "law."
=*^ Colgan agrees, that the cognomen
Reachtmar is Latinized by the words " legi-
fer" or "legislator." Such an epithet had
been bestowed on him because of his being
a great lover of justice. He also says that
the origin of this word '^'^ Reachtmar'''* \?, in
accordance with our historic traditions, and
the common use of the epithet. See " Trias
Thaumaturga." Vita Quarta S. Brigidse,
lib. i., cap. i., p. 546, and n. 3, p. 563.
"'3 The O'Clery's Calendar agrees, like-
wise, that St. Brigid descended from the
race of Eochaidh Finnfuathairt, son to
Feidhlimidh Reachtmhar, son to Tuathal
Teachtmhar, Monarch of Erinn.
»'* According to Professor O'Looney's
Irish Life, St. Brigid's mother was Broig-
seach, the daughter of Dallbronach, of the
Dail Conchobhar in South Bregia.
="S In the Third Office of St. Brigid, pub-
lished by Colgan, "patre Diptoco, et matre
Broca," are held to have been her parents.
Her offices and other accounts make our
saint a native of Leinster. This was an-
ciently a Province of Ireland, bounded
eastwards by the Irish Sea, having Munster
on its south and west, with Meath towards
the north. Like other great districts of Ire-
land, it had its own kings ; subject, however,
to the chief monarch of the island. Naas
was the capital city during St. Brigid's period.
Its metropolis for many ages past has been
Dublin, which formerly had many suffragan
sees within its present archiepiscopal limits.
For some time past, it has only the suffragan
sees of Kildare and Leighlin, Ossory and
Ferns.
="'* Colgan remarks, that she should be
called Brotseach, as the generality of au-
thors—especially in old Latin codices — style
her. See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix
Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidas, cap. ii., p. 613.
^'7 Irish writers more generally, as also
more correctly, write her name Brocseach,
and hence Colgan prefers to adopt their or-
thography. See ibid. Quarta Vita S. Bri-
gidae, n, 8, p. 563,
='^ St. yEngus the Culdee, in his tract,
"Mothers of the Irish Saints," relates, that
Fanchea, daughter of Dalbronach, was mo-
ther of Saints Conall, Eugene, and Carbre,
three sons of Neman.
='9 In the table to this martyrology, after
the holy virgin's name, we find the following
comment introduced, within brackets :—
"[Daughter of Broicsech ; her mother was
Brocsecha.]" See " Martyrology of Done-
gal. " Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves.
"° He is said to have been of Dalconchab-
huir, in the southern part of Bregia, accord-
ing to an Irish Life of St. Brigid. St, Ultan
also belonged to that family. A scholiast,
in his preface to a hymn, said to have been
composed by St. Ultan, writes, that he com-
posed this hymn in .praise of St. Brigid :
and that he was of the Daleconchabuir, to
which belonged St, Brigid's (mother, Brot-
seach, daughter of Dallbronac,
=" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Cogitosus' or Secunda Vita S. Brigidaj, cap,
i., p. 519.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21
testimony of Cogitosus, referable to the Christian parentage of St. Brigid, in
that metrical prologue to her sixth life,^" Dubtach is represented as a noble,
pious man, and still more noble, through his own proper spouse^=^3 and their
holy offspring."* Nor does there appear to be any qualification to this
eulogy, in regard to any particular portion of his life. Whether the birth of
their illustrious daughter took place before or after their conversion to Chris-
tianity is not established on any reliable authority.
Our most judicious historians, Protestant and Catholic,'='S pass over in
silence, or with reproof, those very incredible legends, which contradict the
foregoing accounts. ^^*^ Indeed, an exact critical analysis will only serve to
render the least remarkable circumstances, attending St. Brigid's birth, more
probable ; while the romantic narratives can be traced to no better sources
than popular traditions, so liable to be obscured by fables. No doubt, cer-
tain old Acts of the saint — we cannot be sure, however, these are the most
ancient and authentic — contain the entry of such preposterous statements.
Later writers, during the middle ages,''^7 adopted those vain fantasies, without
sufficient examination, and these again have been repeated by more modern
writers^^^ unreflectingly or in complete ignorance of the historic value, applic-
able to their sources for information. The genealogy of St. Brigid's mother —
apparently drawn from remote pedigrees — shows that she was not of servile
condition,229 but through family origin, in every respect, fitted to be the
lawful and respected spouse of the noble Dubtach.
The best refutation of certain strange accounts, relating to St. Brigid's
birth, will probably be found in a brief statement of the legend.^30 xhe
paternal ancestor of our illustrious virgin, and who is named Eochaidh Finn,
went among the Lagenians, whose king bestowed many tracts of land on him,
at different places. In that province the prince's posterity dwelt at a time
^^'^^^ "Dubtachus ejus erat genitor cogno- being everywhere else spoken of as the
mine dietus ; wife of Dubtach."
Clarus homo meritis, clarus et a proa- '^'^^ That the illustrious St. Brigid was
vis ; born in Scotia of noble and Christian parents
Nobilis atque humilis, mitis pietate is stated in the ' ' Chronica Generalis Mun-
repletus ; di," by Petrus de Natalibus, lib. iii., cap.
Nobilior propria conjuge, prole pia." 69, as, also, in St. Brigid's Second, Third,
— Sexta Vita S. Brigidae. Prologus. Col- and Fourth Offices, published by Colgan.
gan's "TriasThaumaturga,"p. 582. She is said to have been "de bona pro-
=^^3 She is understood to have been Bro- sapia" in the First Office,
cessa or Brotseach, the mother of St. ^^^ See the succinct account of John Cap-
Brigid. grave in his ** Nova Legenda Angliae," fol.
^"^^ In those well-known acts of St. Brigid, xlix.
written by Cogitosus, she is said to have "^ Such as Harris in his edition of Sir
been predestined for accomplishment of the James Ware's works, vol. ii,, " "Writers of
Almighty's decrees, by special graces re- Ireland," book i., chap, iii., pp. ii, 12.
ceived from heaven. ^^9 That she was a captive is intimated in
"S Such as Ussher, Ware, Lanigan, &c. Colgan's first published metrical acts of the
The latter writer observes, that " no atten- saint, attributed to St. Brogan Cloen. See
tion is due to what v/e find in two or three *' Trias Thaumaturga." Hymnus, seu Vita
of the so-called Lives of St. Brigid concern- Prima S. Brigidse, strophe i., p. 515.
ing her mother having been a concubine, ^3o On this subject. Dr. Lanigan remarks :
whom, when pregnant, the wife of Dubtach * ' These stories are given in the third and
obliged him to dismiss, and of her having fourth lives, which in very great part are
been purchased by a pagan poet or a magus, mere transcripts of each other, agreeing,
and how, in consequence of his taking her word for word, in many passages. The
to Ulster, she was then delivered of the former bears every appearance of being an
saint. This romance-like narrative cannot abridgment of the latter. Be this as it may,
agree with the circumstance, that the parents they form but one authority. And as to
of the saint were Christians. I mean such the life called the fifth, whatever it has on
strict Christians as were then in Ireland, nor these subjects was evidently taken from one
with the rank of her mother's family and her or other of them, Amidst other nonsense
22
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
when the author of St. Brigid's Fourth Life wrote. =3^ From his race, as we
are told, a celebrated and powerful chieftain, named Dubtach, was derived,
who bought a female servant, named Broschach. She was very beautiful and
distinguished by her great propriety of manner. =^32 Immediately after follows
a romantic and an incredible account, seemingly irreconcilable with this
latter statement. On learning that Broschach had conceived, the proper
wife of Dubtach, it is said, became very much grieved, and advised her
husband to sell his slave.^33 Fear was expressed, at the same time, that
Broschach's children should domineer over the family of his wife. But, the
chieftain Dubtach would not hearken to the counsels of his consort, on ac-
count of a great love he entertained for Broschach.=34
About this time, it is said, that two holy bishops^35 came from Britain, =36
and entered the house of Dubtach. One of these was called Mel or Maol,
and the other Melchu or Maolchu.^37 These were disciples, we are told, of
St. Patrick, the archbishop, who then preached God's word in Ireland.^38
Maol said to Dubtach's wife, " Why are you sorrowful ? The offspring of
thy servant, shall be exalted above you and your progeny :239 however, love
that servant equally with your own sons, because her infant shall procure blessings
for your children." But, the jealously of Dubtach's wife was not appeased,
and her brothers, who were powerful and brave men, earnestly urged Dubtach
to sell his servant, in a distant part of the country. By a special inspiration,
a poet, belonging to the Hy-Niall family, ^40 came from the northern part of
contained in these tracts a magus is intro-
duced foretelling the future sanctity of the
child, while she was still in her mother's
womb." — " Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. ii., n. 22, pp.
381, 382.
'3' Colgan remarks, that this account fur-
nishes no slight indication showing how the
author of this life lived at a very early period,
and that he flourished at least previously to
the tenth century, as for many ages back,
the family of St. Brigid did not live, in those
places to which allusion had been made.
See " Trias Thaumaturga." Quarta Vita
S. Brigidae, n. 7, p. 563. It may be asked,
however, on what data Colgan grounds his
assertion, even if the author specified those
exact places ? This he has not done.
'3=' In the Third Life, this latter account
of Brocseach's good morals — as contained in
the Fourth Life — is coincidently given. See
"Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. i., p. 527.
Both statements appear to have been im-
plicitly followed, in the Fifth or acephalous
Life of our saint, which Colgan supplies in
his own words, and in elegant Latin, appa-
rently written to imitate Laurence of Dur-
ham's style. This narrative is paraphrased
from more succinct accounts of previous
writers. To supply what is wanting in his
author, Colgan draws somewhat on his own
imagination — a rather exceptional' case with
him.
=33 In the Irish Life of St. Brigid, con-
tained in the " Leabhar Breac" and the
"Book of Lismore," the account is some-
what similar.
»34See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidoe, lib. i., cap. i., p.
546, In closing this»account of Broschach,
as she is generally called throughout the
Fourth Life, the author adds regarding her,
**in omnibus enim moribus, illafoemma erat
perfecta."
=^3S They were disciples and nephews of
St. Patrick, the children of his sister Darerca.
Colgan gives their acts, at the 6th of Feb-
ruary, the day of their feast, in his "Acta
Sanctorum Hibernise," vi. Februarii, pp.
259 to 264.
=^3* In Professor O'Looney's "Life of St.
Brigid," Irish and English MS., while call-
ing them bishops of the Britons, they are
said to have come from the Alps to foretel
of her, pp. 5, 6.
=37 In the "Tertia Vita S. Brigidce" they
are called Mel and Melchu, as also in many
other works. In the " Vita Quarta S. Bri-
gidfe" they are more correctly named, Maol
and Maolchu, or by change of the dipthong,
Mael and Maelchu ; for ao, ae, and te were
indifferently used by the Irish and other
ancient people.
=38 Such is'the account given, in the Fourth
Life of St. Brigid.
=39 In an Irish life (chap, ii.) this wife of
the chieftain is called Brectan. She is said
to have borne seven sons to Dubtach, the
seventh or last having been born after the
birth of St. Brigid. See Colgan's "Trias
Thaumaturga." Quarta Vita S. Brigidae,
n. 10, p. 564.
240 «< Id est, de terra nepotum Neill, seu
Media." The poet, in question, or the
magus, as he is called in the St. Autbert
MS., came from the territory of Himaccuais
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
23
Ireland,^*^ and bought this female slave from Dubtach, who consented to sell
her, because he feared the anger of his wife,^'^^ and of her brothers, belonging
to a noble family. ''*3 Yet, he would not consent to sell the child, which she
then bore, because wonderful things had been predicted regarding the unborn
infant.='44 in his account of these transactions, Laurence of Durham remarks,
that the English, Irish, and Scotch were accustomed to deal in slaves, more
than in any other kind of merchandise ; and that they even considered it an
honourable kind of traffic, although so much opposed to the spirit of Chris-
tianity. He says, that the mother had been known to sell her daughter, the
in Meath, and from the particular spot called
Tochar-maine, as stated in St. Brigid's Irish
Life (cap . v. ) Although, in the Fourth Life,
it is said, he was " poeta de aquilone Hi-
berniae," there is nothing contradictory to be
found ; because relatively to Leinster, Meath
lay to the north, and because a certain
magus, or poet, belonging to the region of
Conall Marthemne, in Ulster, bought the
mother of St. Brigid, not immediately from
Dubtach, but from the aforesaid Meathian
poet. This is expressly stated, in the Irish
Life. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, n. 4, p. 542.
^41 In Professor O'Looney's MS. the poet
is said to have been of the Ui Mac Uais,
and to have been from Tochur Maine, pp.
5,6.
^^' Laurence of Durham's fragmentary
life starts with an announcement, that the
wife of Dubtach, bitterly reproaching her
husband with his infidelities, declared that
henceforth he must make up his mind, either
to sell his female slave, or be prepared for her
own separation from him. Her persistently
expressed resolution, it is said, overcame
her husband's previous intention. Dubtach
then placed his servant in the chariot, which
enabled him to journey after the fashion of
his country, to reach a place where he could
find a market.
^43 By the later writers of our saint's acts,
we are told, that one day the holy maiden's
iather and mother passed by the house of a
certain magus, in a chariot. In St. Brigid's
Irish Life he is called Maithginn, from whom
Ross-Maithginn is denominated. He ordered
the servants to inform him who were seated
in it, for by the noise of this vehicle, Maith-
ginn supposed it conveyed a king. The
servants reported to their master, that the
chariot contained Dubthac. The magus de-
sired him to be called. On being hailed, the
magician asked if the woman, called ancilla,
who sat behind him in the chariot, was with
child. On receiving an answer in the affir-
mative from Dubtach, the magician asked
her the name of this unborn child's father.
She replied, that Dubtach was its parent.
Then the magus addressed these words to
him, "Be thou a careful guardian of this
woman, for the child she bears shall become
illustrious." Dubtach then told the magus
that his wife, who feared this child's birth,
had urged him to sell his fellow-traveller,
who is represented as being a slave. The
magus then prophesised, that the children
of Dubtach's wife should serve the family of
her servant for ever. The magician also
said to the servant : " Be of good cheer, for
no person shall be able to injure you ; the
graces bestowed on your infant shall prove
your protection, for to you shall be bom an
illustrious daughter, who will shine in this
world with the brightness of the noon-day
sun. " Dubtach replied, * ' I give thanks to
God, that hitherto I have had no daughter,
although having sons. " After these words
of the magus, Dubtach regarded his female
servant with greater affection ; although his
wife, with her brothers, urged her husband
to sell his slave, in a far distant country.
See •' Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S.
Brigidae, cap, ii., p. 527. Vita Quarta S.
Brigidffi, lib. i., cap. ii., p. 546, ibid. In
the Fifth Life of our saint, a similar story is
told substantially, but in a more improved
Latin phraseology and style ; a greater im-
aginative liberty having been taken appa-
rently with special circumstances given in
previous accounts. See Vita Quinta S. Bri-
gidce, cap, iii., p. 567, ibid. In the metrical
acts of St. Brigid, the matter is thus briefly
recorded : —
" Quadam namque die genetrix dum forte
sedebat.
In curru praegnans, nee tunc enixa puel-
1am,
Dumque frementis equi spumantia coUa
tenebat,
Pulverulenta quidem vestigia longa sona-
bat.
Audierat sonitum vates stridere rotarum
Dixerat ; ecce venit. Rex est, qui prse-
sidct axi.
Sed commitissa tamen carpentum sola re-
gebat.
— Sexta Vita S. Brigidse, sec. i., pp. 582,
583, ibid.
^44 In the Office of St. Brigid, printed at
Paris in 1622, and in her other printed
or manuscripts offices, various portents re-
ferring to her conception and early child-
hood are noticed, in the antiphons, hymns
and responses. Also, many virtues and
miracles, which afterwards distinguished
her, are related,
24
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
son his father, and a husband his wife, forgetting every sentiment of nature
and grace. ^'♦s After the Normans took possession of England, slavery of
this sort was happily abolished ; and the English owed this happy change,
rather to invaders, than to their own countrymen. This writer adds, that
the Irish and Scots, having lords of their own nation, never wholly abandoned
serfdom, nor yet allowed it to exist, as formerly they did.^^^ However this
may be, we are obliged to resume the incredible and contradictory romance,
which consigns St. Brigid's mother to a state of bondage. With his newly-
purchased slave, the poet afterwards returned to his own country.^47 A
certain holy man paid a visit, on that night of arrival at his house. This
pious guest prayed to God, the whole night. Frequently during that time,
he saw a globe of fire, resting over the spot, where the bond-woman and
mother of St. Brigid slept. Respecting such circumstances, the poet host
was apprized in the morning.^^s Several incidents, connected with St. Brigid's
birth, as related by some of her biographers, are puerile in the extreme, and
unworthy the slightest degree of credit.^49 It is said, a certain infant, whose
=^s Colgan remarks, that except in the
writings of this author, he could never dis-
cover elsewhere, authority for the statement
of a custom prevailing in former times among
the Irish, whereby a brother would sell his
brother, a daughter her mother, a father his
son, or any other relative his kinsman. If
the sale of slaves and captives prevailed in
pagan times, the mild spirit of Christianity
and of religious feeling haslongago abolished
all vile customs of the slave mart, in our
island. We read, however, that the English
and Britons, even long after their reception
of the Christian religion, allowed this abomin-
able trade in human creatures to continue.
We learn, also, that to this infamous traffic
in men and women, could be traced, in great
part, their loss of liberty and subjection to
a foreign yoke. These were regarded as
just punishments and visitations of God,
for permitting such abuses. See Colgan's
"Trias Thaumaturga." Quinta Vita S.
Brigidse, cap. i,, ii,, p. 567 and n. 5, p.
639, ibid.
*** Giraldus Cambrensis writes as follows
on this subject, in reference to Ireland, that
soon after the Anglo-Norman invasion, a
council was convened at Armagh, in which
it was decreed, that the English, then held
as bondsmen, in various parts of Hibernia,
should be set at liberty. The clergy and
laity were unanimously agreed on this sub-
ject. Previously to that period, the Saxons
were accustomed to jell their ovra. children
and relations as slaves to the Irish, even
although not pressed to it by any necessity.
Merchants and pirates were alike engaged
in this nefarious commerce. The Irish,
becoming purchasers of those slaves, were
justly deemed as partners in such traffic, and
therefore was it thought they had incurred
Divine displeasure, which had been mani-
fested by permitting their subjection, in turn,
to the Anglo-Norman invaders. See " Ex-
pugnatio Hibemica," lib. i., cap. xviii., p.
258. Giraldus Cambrensis, Opera, vol. v.,
Dimock's edition.
**7 According to Professor O'Looney's
Irish Life in MS. a Dmid from the territory
of Connaill repurchased the bondwoman
from the poet ; and brought her to his own
part of the country, pp. 5, 6.
--♦^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Tertia Vita S. Brigiaiaj, cap. iii., p. 527.
Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap. iii.,
iv., p. 546. In the Fifth Life, the foregoing
accounts are greatly extended, by the intro-
duction of imaginary discourses and circum-
stances. See Quinta Vita vS. Brigidoe, cap.
iii., iv., pp. 567, 568, ibid.
=^49 After the account already given, theThird
Life inserts a ridiculous narrative, relative to
an occurrence at the infant's birth. This
same narrative is given in the Fourth Life,
where it is added, that the infant St. Brigid
was distinguished by extraordinary beauty
of features. " Vita Quarta S. Brigidae," lib.
i., cap. v., pp. 546, 547, ibid. As usual,
Laurence of Durham greatly enlarges on the
foregoing accounts. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae,
cap. v., p. 568, ibid. We are assured, by Col-
gan, that a king alluded to, and then with his
queen a guest with the i/iagus, was dynast
of Conall Murthemne, a region mentioned,
in an Irish Life of St. Brigid. In a part of
this territory, designated Fochart, St. Brigid
was born, according to the same authority,
and to Henry of Marlborough, A.D, 468.
Conchobarius in " Vita S. Monennsa," and
other biographers are of accord. These are
followed by Ussher, " De Primordiis Eccle-
siarum Britannicarum, " pp. 627, 884. But,
the magian here mentioned is not identical
with the Meathian, who purchased St.
Brigid's mother in the first instance. He
was the second purchaser and he belonged
to the territory of the aforesaid Conall, as
mentioned in an Irish Life. The student
may refer to " Vita Tertia S. Brigidfe," n.
5, P- 543.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
25
birth had preceded St. Brigid's by a single day,=so ^^^^ suddenly on that of
our saint's nativity.^si By some chance, Brigid, being brought near the life-
less body of this infant, touched it.^s" The child was immediately restored
to life. When this miracle took place, all who were present declared, Brigid
was that renowned saint, promised by the prophets. ="53
After our saint's birth, the magus is said to have brought her mother with
him to Connaught, where he dwelt ; and, it is also stated, that the mother of
this magus had been a native of that province, while his father was born in
Munster.='54 One day, when the mother of St. Brigid went some distance to
milk cows,2S5 she left her infant sleeping alone in the house. Suddenly, it
appeared to be in flames, and all who saw ran to extinguish them. =56 Qn
approaching the dwelling, however, these flames went out ; and on entering,
the people found St. Brigid sweetly smiling, with infantile innocence and
beauty, her cheeks being flushed with a roseate hue.^57 AH proclaimed
aloud, that the child was replenished with graces of the Holy Spirit.^ss
Before we proceed further, it may be well to mention, that St. Brigid's
biographers seem generally to agree in naming Fochard^S9 as her birthplace.
Such is the account left us in her Fourth Life. There, as we are told, the
village in which she was born bore the name, Fochart Muirthemne,^^° being
in the region called Conaille Muirthemhne, formerly within the Ulster
province. ^^^ The tradition, on which such a statement prevails, is referable
to a remote time.^^^ At present, Faughart=63 is a small country village, in
=50 This infant is said to have been a son
of the King and Queen of Conaille, who were
then on a visit with a- magus, the second
purchaser, according to Professor O'Looney's
Irish Life, pp. 5 to 8.
=51 Professor O'Looney's Irish Life states,
St. Brigid was born at the rising of the sun,
pp. 7, 8.
252 In Professor O'Looney Irish Life, it is
stated, that St. Brigid's breath brought the
king's son to life, pp. 7, 8.
^53 This account is contained in the Fourth
Life. We are told by Colgan, that it is to
be found, also, in the Irish Life, where it is
stated, the infant brought to life was a son
to the King of Conall, and this child was
born on that night, previous to St. Brigid's
birth, according to the legend. See " Trias
Thaumaturga." Quarta VitaS. Brigidae, lib.
i., cap. vi., p. 547, and n. 12, p. 564, ibid.
^^54 This is accordant with a statement in
Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid,
pp. 7, 8.
=55 Ibid.
=56 << Ssepe etiam rutilis tectorurn subdere
flammis
Cernebant fabricam, parvas et cunabula
Brigidae." — ^Vita Sexta S. Brigidoe, sec.
ii., p. 583. Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
«57 Ibid. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidse," cap.
v., p. 527. "Quarta Vita S. BrigidEe,"
lib. i., cap. viii,, ix., p. 547. In the latter
life, we are informed about the reason why
the magician visited the province of Con-
naught. This he did to exercise his magic
arts ; for which purpose, he travelled through
that district, and through other provinces,
where he was received with great respect.
=58 In the Fifth Life of our saint, with its
usual amplifications, we are told, St. Brigid
spoke, before that natural period arrived,
when infants usually articulate. Such ac-
count, however, is not contained in her
other lives. Colgan refers to notes, ap-
pended to St. Fursey's Life at the i6th of
January, and to other particulars, which
serve to accompany that of St. Barr, at the
25th of September, for parallel instances of
children, who spoke soon after their birth,
and even in their mother's womb.
259 In Wright's "Louthiana," part i., p.
9, there is a very interesting description of
certain ancient remains in this locality. Dr.
Lanigan, who rejects the romantic narrative
of St. Brigid's birth, agrees that she was
born in Fochard. He further observes :
*' Whether her coming into the world in
that place was owing to her parents having
had a residence there, or to their being on
a visit at some friend's house, it is imma-
terial to enquire." — " Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. II, p.
378, and n. 24, p. 382, ibid.
^^° St. Brigid was patron of that place,
and in her honour a monastery of Canons
had been established there, at a time when
the Fourth Life had been written. See
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta
Vita S. Brigidas, lib. i., cap. vi., p. 547.
=^* Foughart is a parish in the diocese of
Armagh.
=*= St. Bernard in his *' Vita S. Malachiae"
writes ; ** Venerunt tres Episcopi in villam
Fochart, quem dicunt locum nativitatis
Brigidae virginis," &c., cap. xxv., sec. 56.
""^^ See the "Parliamentary Gazetteer of
Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 197, 198, for an in-
teresting account of this parish.
36
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
d
the Barony of Upper Dundalk, County of Louth, and Province of Leinster.
There, too, not only a church and a cemetery, dedicated to St. Brigid, were
to be seen at a time when her Fourth Life had been written; but, according
to local tradition, they were situated even on the very site of that house, in
which she had been born.^*^* This latter statement, with a sHght emendation,
is probably correct. It has been remarked, that the allusion to a monastery
of Canons being at Foughart shows a remote antiquity when the author of
her Fourth Life flourished ; for, many ages back, there had been no institute
of the kind discoverable, nor any monastic house, specially dedicated to St.
Brigid, at least from the period of the eleventh century. ^^5 The old church
site of Fochard is situated between the town of Dundalk and the church of
Kilslieve,^^^^ being about two miles distant from either place. A holy woman,
known as Monenna,=^^7 built a church here, at a very early period.^'^^ The
exact situation of Fochard has been misplaced in some records.^^9 In the
seventeenth century, this little village was called by the Irish-speaking peo-
ple Fochart Brighde, or " Fochart of Brigid^^'^o
In the three previous lives of our Saint^^i no mention is made concerning
the place of her birth ; which is also the case, in the two latter lives, viz. :
the Fifth and Sixth. Admitting, however, the usually assigned place, where
the illustrious virgin is said to have been born, it seems likely enough, that
old circular, cone-shaped Dun,^7a which rises high=^73 over the adjoining fields
on the very summit of Foughart Hill, about three miles north-west of Dun-
dalk, supported and protected the house of Dubtach.^74 A circular level on
the top was 40 feet in diameter, and around the circumference appears to
have extended a wide breast-work of masonry, laid with mortar. ="75 At the
southern sides, when broken, the foundations were clearly traceable. A deep
^*' At the rear of this church, the local
habitants pointed out that identical stone,
on which, it was traditionally said, St.
Brigid first reposed after having come
into the world. The relic was held in
especial veneration by inhabitants of the
adjacent country, and through its instru-
mentality many miracles were reported to
have been accomplished.
=^5 Nothing save the parish church at
Fochart was known in Colgan's time to
have been placed under her special invoca-
tion. See " Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta
Vita S. Brigidae, lib. i., cap. vi., p. 547,
and nn. 13, 14, p. 864, ibid.
"^^ Some ruins of a church are still re-
maining at Kilslieve, but these are devoid
of all architectural beauty. See "The
History of Dundalk and its Environs," by
John D' Alton and J. R. O'Flanagan, p.
279.
="•7 See her Life at the 6th of July.
=^ Conchobranus, in "Vita S. Monennae,"
says, that this holy woman first built a
church at Fochart, where the nativity of St.
Brigid took place.
"^ The English Martyrology, at the 1st
of February, and other authorities, state,
that our Saint was born in the County of
Kildare, and at a place called Fochart.
But Fochart is not within the limits of that
county. However, if it be allowed, St.
Brigid had been conceived in that, or in any
other Leinster county, it seems certain, she
first saw light, in a certain village called
Fochart, in Louth county, in Armagh dio-
cese, and within the bounds of Ulster's
ancient province. See Ussher "De Pri-
mordiis Ecclesiarum Britannicarum," pp.
627, 705, 706. Also, David Roth, in his
Dissertation on St. Brigid, p. 151, and an
Irish Life of St. Brigid, cap. iii.
^70 They also called that district, in which
it was situated, Machaire Airgiell. See
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix
Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. v., p. 617.
'^^^ As published by Colgan.
=72 Thomas Wright, in his day, correctly
describes it as " in the form of a frustrum
of a cone."— "Louthiana," book i., p. 9.
There was formerly some sort of octagonal
building upon the top, but whether it had
been a tower or parapet breast high, there
was not wall enough left to determine, a
little after the middle of the last century.
^73 About 60 feet, according to Wright,
but it is certainly of a lesser altitude.
='74 Two curious copper-plate illustrations
of this Dun, with the shape of the upper
fort-like works, are contained on Plate xiv.
of book i. in " Louthiana."
»75 In May, 1874, the writer visited this
spot, and found it nearly in a perfect state,
except towards the south, where a portion
of its sides had been removed for manure.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
27
circular fosse surrounded the lower ascent of this high Dun,=76 from the top
of which a magnificent view of the bay and town of Dundalk, with the
sublime crags of the Carlingford mountains, extending far into the sea,
towards the north and east, can be obtained.='77 Near this Dun, in the
townland and parish of Faughart, on the very summit of a rising hill, are the
ruins of St. Brigid's old church.=78 The entire length was 24 yards, and the
Church Ruins at Foughart, Co. Louth.
breadth 7 yards interiorly, in 1836 ; an inside gable stood at a distance of
about 10 yards from the east gable.='79 This latter was demolished to within
three feet of the ground, in the middle part, the sides being lower. Only a
small part of the south side-wall, towards the east gable, stands.=^° The
remainder, to the middle gable, was levelled with the ground. The north side-
^ 276 Thomas Wright states, * ' in all proba-
bility, it may originally have been a Funeral
Monument, and in latter days formed into a
Beacon or Fort, either as an out Guard to
defend the said Frontier," {i.e., of the old
English Pale), " or signify the Approach of
an Enemy." — " Louthiana," book i., p. 9.
• =^77 Mr. John Craig, who rented an adjoin-
ing farm, told the writer, that in the field
next this Dun, while ploughing, the hoofs
of a horse sunk through some flag stones.
On examination of the spot, a remarkable
zig-zag-shaped earth-cave was discovered.
After removing some of the covering stones,
he descended into it, and found it regularly
walled on the sides. Barely stooping, he
was enabled to pass through it for several
yards, covering flags being over his head.
He saw several specimens of "crockery
ware," within the cave, through which his
further progress was checked by its being
choked by earth and stones, in one particu-
lar place. The extent of these remarkable
caves, he pointed out to the writer, on the
surface of the ground above, and he ex-
pressed the greatest desire that they should
be carefully explored by gentlemen com-
petent to describe them.
=^78 The people in 1836 called it UeA' pull
AS\x>, " the high church, " and it was also
designated coa' pull lipi^'oe riA h-Ai|\t)e
moi^e, "Brigid's Church of the great
height."
^79 This inner gable has since fallen.
^^° The accompanying engraving by Wil-
liam Oldham, 8 Gloucester-street, Dublin,
is from a sketch by the author, and taken on
the spot, in May, 1874.
28
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
wall was reduced to about 7 feet in height, east of the middle gable.^^^ The
western length to the middle gable was about 14 yards ; the side- walls'
height, in this part, is about 14 feet. On the south side-wall was a breach
near the middle gable.^'^^ The west gable had been reduced in height to
the level of the side-walls ; while there is a breach on it, reaching from top
to bottom, about 3 yards wide. On the north side-wall, about 7 feet from
the ground, there was an opening, reaching to the top. Another opening
next the middle gable, was to be seen, and about the same height.^^*
This ruinous pile of masonry, at present, is in a very dilapidated condition.
The people of Foughart neighbourhood^^s preserved a tradition, that
this church had been built by St. Brigid — especially the eastern part —
although they knew not that here^"^^ was her birthplace.''^^ The graveyard
of Foughart is still much used for interments. The base of an old cross yet
rises over the graves. This last resting-place of the dead is intimately asso-
ciated with the invasion of Ireland by King Robert Bruce^^^ of Scotland,^^^
and by his brother Edward Bruce,''^^ who prosecuted it to a disastrous issue. '^^
=^' About a yard in length retained the
original height of 14 feet towards the mid-
dle ; it was lower towards the east gable.
'^^ In 1836, seven feet from the ground
was an opening reaching to the top.
"^4 The foregoing is the substance of
Messrs. P. O'Keefe's and T. O'Conor's
description in a letter dated Dundalk, Feb-
iiiary 15th, 1 836, taken from " Louth
Letters, containing information relative to
the Antiquities of the County, collected
during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey
in 1835-1836," vol. i., pp. 285, 286.
»8s In 1836.
=^ None of the inhabitants were able
then to assign a signification for the word
=87 A few, who read St. Brigid's Life,
said that she was born within 2^ miles of
Dundalk, on a green near the old road,
leading from the latter town to Newry.
Then tradition had it, that she founded
Foughart Church, where she remained 2\
years, before she went to the nunnery at
Kildare. Ibid, pp. 286, 287.
"^^ In A.D. 1306, this heroic chieftain was
forced to take refuge in the small Island of
Rachlinn, off the northern coast of Antrim.
In the spring of 1306, with a fleet of thirty-
three galleys and about 300 men, he sailed
for the Scottish coast, * ' and proceeded on
that course of chivalrous conquest which led
to the establishment of his country's inde-
pendence and his own deathless renown."
About 700 of the northern Irish accompa-
nied him on this expedition, and these were
led by his brothers, Thomas and Alexander.
See Moore's " History of Ireland," vol. iii.,
chap, xxxvi,, p. 52.
"^ The reader will recollect the allusion
to his taking refuge in Ireland, as poetically
recorded in Sir Walter Scott's **Lord of
the Isles," canto iii., sec. xi.
The scheme," said Bruce,
well ;
■ contents me
Meantime 'twere best that Isabel
For safety, with my bark and crew,
Again to friendly Erin drew.
There Edward, too, shall with her wend,
In need to cheer her and defend,
And muster up each scattered friend."
=9<>The old Scoto- English poem, "The
Bruce ; or the Metrical History of Robert I.
King of Scots," by Master John Barbour,
Archdeacon of Aberdeen, contains the most
detailed account of Edward Bruce's career
in Ireland, in Buke Tend, Buke Eleuenth,
Buke Twelt, vol. i., pp. 277 to 368. This
is published from a Manuscript dated
M.cccc.LXXXix. See "The Bruce; and
Wallace ;" edited by John Jamieson, D.D.,
with notes, biographical sketches, and a
glossary. In Two Volumes. Edinburgh,
A.D. 1820, 4to.
=51 That brilliant and decisive victory,
achieved by the Scots over the English, at
Bannockbum, in 13 14, and to which allusion
has been already made in the Life of St.
Foilan, at the 9th of January, had awakened
for a kindred people warm sympathies,
while it aroused ambition among the north-
ern Irish chieftains, to originate some effec-
tive means for obtaining national indepen-
dence. Proposing to Robert Bruce the
propriety of making his brother, Edward,
king of Ireland, they agreed to rally round
the latter, immediately on his arriving in
their country. As Edward had already
demanded a share in the sovereignty of
Scotland, King Robert eagerly inclined to
the expressed wishes of these Irish chiefs,
and made every preparation to organize a
military and naval expedition, destined for
the coasts of Ireland. Accordingly, on the
26th of May, 131 5, Edward Bruce landed
on the shores of Antrim, with a fleet of 300
sail and an army of Scots, estimated at 6,000
men. Immediately on his arrival, the Irish
of Ulster hastened in great numbers to fight
under his standard. With united forces,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
29
A hollow space between Faughart hill and Carrickbroad^s^ is pointed
out as the spot where Bruce was killed,=93 in that last desperate
the Scots and Irish overran the whole pro-
vince of Ulster, within an incredibly short
period. Dundalk, Ardee, with some other
places in Louth, were taken and demolished
by the invading forces and their allies. To
oppose them, De Burgo, earl of Ulster,
raised a large army, chiefly in Connaught.
He formed a junction with Sir Edmond
Butler, the lord justice. The Scots and
Irish crossed the river Bann, when they
gave battle to the Earl of Ulster, at Connor.
Here the Anglo-Irish leader was defeated,
and afterwards he was forced to fly for pro-
tection towards the western province. Ed-
ward Bmce, who had already caused himself
to be proclaimed king of Ireland, next be-
sieged the castle of Carrickfergus, where
some of the defeated English had taken
refuge. Bruce spent some time endeavour-
ing to reduce the stronghold of Carrickfer-
gus ; yet, at last he raised the siege to
proceed southwards, through the midland
counties of Leinster. His advance caused
the rising of various native septs ; but the
prevalence of famine at this time obliged
the Scottish leader to retire upon Ulster.
At the town of Kells, he gave battle to
I5,(X)0 English, under the command of Sir
Roger Mortimer, who suffered an ignomi-
nious defeat. In 1 3 16, King Robert Bruce
landed in Ireland with a great army to assist
his brother Edward, and with united forces
the garrison of Carrickfergus, after a brave
and protracted defence, was compelled to
surrender. Robert Bruce, accompanied by
a large army of Scots and Irish, advanced
to Dublin, where he arrived about the close
of February, 131 7. The Anglo-Irish deni-
zens were in a state of consternation, but
lost no time in making energetic preparations
for defence . The English and Irish appear
to have been almost equally demoralized
and disorganized, during the progress of
these transactions. The suburbs of Dublin
were burnt down by the citizens, to prevent
their invaders from finding there a shelter
on approaching. Richard, Earl of Ulster,
now advanced in years, was arrested on
suspicion of having favoured the cause of
Bruce, whilst DeLacy joined his forces with
the Scots and Irish. King Robert Bruce,
however, on finding the metropolis so
strongly fortified and so resolutely defended
by its Anglo-Irish garrison, deemed it a
useless waste of time and valour to attempt
its reduction by the slow process of a siege.
Conducting his army southwards through
Kildare, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick,
he burned and plundered the English foun-
dations, civil and ecclesiastical, wherever
he passed. Famine, pressing sorely on this
desolated country, disconcerted his plans.
Although the English mustered a force of
30,000 men to surprise and harass the King
of Scotland, they did not, however, venture
to risk a decisive engagement with him.
About the commencement of May, Robert
Bruce was obliged to retreat upon Ulster.
He soon afterwards set sail for Scotland,
leaving his brother Edward to sustain the
cause, in which his fortunes were embarked.
This retreat of the Scots and Irish, into the
northern province, allowed the English an
opportunity for making many successful
diversions around the borders of their own
settlements. In the year 13 1 8, Edward
Bruce raised a small army, with which he
advanced to Foughart, near Dundalk.
Here he was opposed and defeated by John
Birmingham, at the head of an English
force, which had marched from Dublin.
See the Author's "Catechism of Irish His-
tory," lesson XV., pp. 153 to 158.
^9^ Some written accounts state, that Ed-
ward Bruce's body had been divided into
quarters, and had been sent for exhibition
all over the country. See Moore's " His-
tory of Ireland," vol. iii,, chap, xxxvi., p.
71. This, however, does not appear to be
confirmed on any good authority, and the
local tradition is probably correct, that the
headless body had been buried in Foughart
graveyard. Near this cemetery, the inha-
bitants point out a spot, where Bruce's
horse was buried, and it is said, the bones
of this animal were even discovered, on
digging for them.
="93 The Rev. Dr. Drummond's Poem,—
of no special merit, however, — and intituled,
" Bruce's Invasion of Ireland," describes
the progress of the Scottish leader, and his
final defeat. An idea of its measure and
style may be gleaned from the following
lines, relating to the mustering of Irish
chiefs and tribes to his standard : —
*' Blood-royal O'Connor his infantry guides
From regions beyond where the broad
Shannon glides ;
Great monarch of streams, that from up-
land and dell.
And a thousand steep mountains, his wide
current swell ;
By cities, lakes, forests, and fields rich
with grain.
Sweeping on with his sail-covered tidfes
to the main."
" With these comes O'Mailey, well-versed
in sea-wiles.
The lord of Craig-Uile, a prince of the
isles ;
Of th' Arrans, where health-wafting gales
ever blow.
And Bovin, with fat lowing herds, white
as snow.
3«>
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
4
battle, which he fought on the 14th of October, a.d. 1318,294 at Foiighart.^^s
Many of his chieftains and soldiers, Irish and Scots, fell in this short but
decisive conflict. =^96 Although during the course of three years,^^? pending
which he waged war in Ireland, Edward Bruce had encountered the English
armies in eighteen successive and victorious battles,^^^ their great numerical
superiority at the battle of Foughart caused victory to favour the arms of
England from the very first onset.299 From the south-west corner of the
church, and removed about four yards, the grave of Edward Bruce is shown.3°°
The authentication, however, is only sustained by a popular tradition.
About the middle of the last century, St. Brigid's Stone, having a raised
work about it in the form of a horse-shoe, was to be seen at Foughart. 3°' In
the middle was a rough rocky flint, on which with bared knees penitents
were accustomed to kneel. Raised upon two circular and concentric steps
was elevated St. Brigid's pillar. 3°^ Only the circular stones are now noticeable
wthin the graveyard.3°3 These are singularly suggestive of having been the
base of a round tower. The burial-ground is well enclosed with a fine
fence and a quick-set hedge of grown hawthorns. It rises high over the
adjacent fields. North-west of the old church, and within the graveyard
enclosure, is shown " St. Brigid's Well."304 It was dried up,3°5 when visited
And a thousand green islets, with foam
girdled bright,
Like gems chased in silver, and glistening
in light."
** As birds to the prey that come rushing
from far.
They speed to enjoy the grand pastime of
war ;
Proud Flaiths on whose helmets gemmed
coronets shine ;
Proud Tanists with baldrics enriched by
the mine."
This Poem was issued in a small i2mo
volume, at Dublin, in 1826.
'94 According to John Fordun's "Scoti-
chronicon," vol. ii., lib. xii., cap. xxxvii.,
p. 271, Walter Goodall's Edition.
=^5 Authors differ greatly in their account
both of the numbers engaged, and of those
who fell. Barbour, whose object it was to
pay all possible honour to the valour of his
countrymen, says that Bnice's army con-
tained about 2,000 men, not including his
Irish auxiliaries ; and that they were oppo-
sed by the overwhelming multitude of 40,000.
Bruce, at his landing, had 6,000 men, and
he afterwards received reinforcements from
Scotland. Now, though he sustained some
loss from the sword, famine, and other
c^ualties of war, it is scarcely credible that
his forces were reduced to one-third. The
Irish annals compute his numbers at 3,000 ;
but Ware says that 8,274 fell in the field,
and that they were opposed by only 1,324
men-at-arms. Walsingham states the num-
ber of the slain to be 5,800, besides 29 barons
and knights. The Anglo-Irish army is not
said to have sustained any loss beside that
of Maupus. See " Bruce's Invasion of Ire-
land," note viii., pp. 113, 114.
=9^ Relative to the issue of this battle, we
are told in "The Brus," writ be Master
Johne Barbour : —
" And tha that at the fichting wer
Socht Schir Eduard to get his hed
Emang the folk that thar was ded."
— Sec. cxxxii., 11. 200 to 202. The Spald-
ing Club Edition, edited by C. Innes, p.
423. Aberdeen, 1856, 4to.
=97 An interesting account of this Irish
expedition of the Bruces is given in Sir Da-
vid Dalrymple's (Lord Hailes') " Annals of
Scotland," vol. ii., pp. 60 to 82. Edin-
burgh, A.D. 1776, 1779, 4to.
=98 See Barbour's "Bruce," book xii.
'99 See Thomas Moore's " History of
Ireland," vol. iii., chap, xxxvi., p. 70.
3°° In 1836, his tomb was pointed out on
the west end of the grave ; the remainder
being concealed in the ground. Then it lay
nearly horizontal, but sinking slightly to
the east side. It was said to have been
covered by notches, one of which was then
visible.
3°' This object seems to have disappeared.
3°^ Thomas Wright informs us, that the
nuns of the convent used to go upon their
knees on particular occasions ; sometimes
around the lesser and sometimes around the
larger circles, as their penitence required.
See " Louthiana," book iii., p. 19.
3°3 Views of all the foregoing curious ob-
jects are preserved for us in Plate xx., book
iii., of Wright's " Louthiana," while in
addition there is a ground plan of St.
Brigid's quadrangular church in the grave-
yard.
3°* In Irish CobA^ 1if^$t>e.
3°5 This, we were told, was the result of
some previous desecration.
February i,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
Jt
by the writer,3°6 but a
pyramidical structure of
stone and mortar, over a
square aperture, remain-
ed.3°7 It is on a slopin-^
part of the burial-
ground, and surrounded
by thickly-matted thorn
bushes.
In the Parish of
Foughart, there are five
remarkable Moats.
Three3°8 of these are on
the townland of Upper
Faughart ; another Moat
is in Lower Faughart, 3°9
while one is onRoskeagh
townland.3^°
All writers are agreed,
that St. Brigid's birth
cannot be very distantly
removed from the mid-
dle of the fifth century.
But authorities differ as
to the exact date. Some
writers — as for instance
the Bollandists3" — place
it so early as the year
436 or 437.3" The
" Annals of Dublin "
and the " Annals of
Ross,3^3 with Friar John
Clynn3H and Dr. Mere-
st. Brigid's Well, Faughart.
3°6 In May, 1874.
3°7 The accompanying illustration was
drawn on the spot by V. George Du Noyer,
and transferred to wood from his sketches
in the R. I, A; by Gregor Grey, of Dublin,
who also engraved it.
3<^ One is called m6cA ^aSa^c ; another
is denominated moCA aw c-'peAti •otiine ;
while the other has no distinguishing name.
3°9 This is called flAc ]"AileA6,
s^° This is styled mocA Uac fjeAfi. See
"Louth Letters, containing Information
relative to the Antiquities of the County,
collected during the Progress of the Ordnance
Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i., p. 294.
3" Tillemont properly remarks, they had
no sufficient grounds for their statements or
conjectures. These they were obliged to
adopt, because they supposed St. Brigid
had interviews with St. Patrick, and that he
had requested her to weave a shroud for
him.
312 This circumstance of St. Brigid weav-
ing St. Patrick's shroud is assigned by
Henschenius and Papebrochius, to A.D.
458, to make it accord with their hypothesis
regarding St. Patrick's death occurring, as
they suppose, in 460. Their predecessor
Bollandus, who admitted the circumstance,
relating to friendship existing between St.
Patrick and St. Brigid (" Acta Sanctorum,
Februarii," torn, i., i. Februarii), was not
obliged to antedate St. Brigid's birth. For,
with Ussher, he supposed the former to
have lived until the year 493. "Now the
successors of Bollandus, when they rejected
this date, should have rejected also what
has been said about the shroud, &c., and
thus would not have been reduced to assign,
in opposition to the best authorities, her
birth to the time above mentioned, and her
death to 506 or 517." See Dr. Lanigan's
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
chap, viii., sec. ii., p. 378, and n. 25, pp.
382, 383, ibid.
3'3 See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesi-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 459.
3^4 See this Tract of his published by the
32
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
dith Hanmer,3^5 have 439. Another calculation should make her first see the
light in 443.3^^ The " Annals of Roscrea" note this event at a.d. 449.3^7 A
judicious Irish historian considers, that including a.d. 451 and 458, St. Brigid's
birth must have occurred at some time within such era. Following Ussher's
computation, affixing her birth to a.d. 45 3, ^^^ Dr. Lanigan appears to concur.
The " Annals of Cambria"3i9 date it at a.d. 454. The " Annals of Inisfallen"
give A.D. 456 in the opinion of some writers.s^Q In the " Annals of Senat
Mac Magnus," said to have been compiled by Charles Maguire, authors are
cited for assigning the holy Virgin's birth to a.d. 457.3^' Henry of Marl-
borough brings this event to so late a period as 468.3'''
According to his computation, St. Brigid was only twelve years of age,
when St. Patrick died, if we adopt Dr. Lanigan's opinion ; and the same
writer supposes, our Saint might have been known to the Apostle of Ireland,
at a very early age, in consequence of her singular sanctity having become
conspicuous, and as she was derived from an illustrious family. But, it is
thought, she could not have become a professed nun at that time, nor have
already founded any religious house.3*3 During St. Patrick's lifetime,
according to the most consistent and authentic acts of both Saints, the same
historian remarks, that Brigid is not represented as having been a consecrated
Virgin. However minute, in all matters relating to St. Patrick, his Tripartite
Life only mentions St. Brigid on one occasion. 3^4 There it is related, that,
when Hstening, together with a vast number of people, to a sermon of his,
she fell asleep and had a vision relative to the then state of the Irish Church
and to its future vicissitudes, as expounded by St. Patrick. He, knowing
that she had a vision, desired her, after she awoke, to tell what she saw.
The Saint replied, that at first she beheld a herd of white oxen amidst white
crops, then spotted ones of various colours, after which appeared black and
dark-coloured oxen. These were succeeded by sheep and swine, wolves
and dogs jarring with each other.325 There appears to be no good reason
Irish Archaeological Society. "Quadrin-
gentesimo 39°. Nascitur beata virgo Bri-
gida." — " Annales Hiberniee," p. 4.
3'S In his " Chronicle of Ireland," p. 89.
Other writers assume the same date, as in
"Vetusto libro Chromelliae," quoted by
Ussher. See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 459.
S"** Colgan remarks, that according to an
opinion, not improbable, St. Brigid lived to
be eighty years. Hence, as it is very
generally supposed, she died on February
1st, A.D. 523, her birth must naturally be
referred to A.D. 443. See "Trias Thau-
maturga," Appendix Quarta ad Acta S.
Brigidaj, cap. ix., p. 620.
3'7 See ibid,
3*8 See "Index Chronologicus," at A.D.
CCCCLiii., p. 520.
3*9 The "Annales Cambrige," supposed
by the editor, Rev. John Williams ab Ithel,
to be perhaps the oldest chronicle of Welsh
aflfairs extant, places her birth at A.D. 454.
See Preface, p. ix. and p. 3.
320 See "Annales Inisfalenses," p. 3,
tomus ii. Dr. O'Conor's "Return Hibemi-
carum Scriptores."
3" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap.
U., p. 620.
3" So states Ussher in " Britannicarum
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii., p. 459.
However, in Henry Marleburrough's
"Chronicle of Ireland," as published by the
Hibemia Press Company, 4to, in 1809, we
find no such notice, and there his Chronicle
commences with A.D. 1 285, ending with
A.D. 1421.
3^3 <' The lowest age, which I find to have
been allowed in those times in any part of
the Church for taking the veil, was that of
16 or 17 years. (St. Basil, Ep. Canonica,
can. 18.) The African 'Canons fixed it at
25 ; and this regulation became very general
in the Western Church. Yet even in the
countries where it was received, it might
have been dispensed witli in certain cases.
(See Gilbert, Corp. J. Can., torn, ii., p.
410)." — Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. ii,
n. 27, p. 383.
3=-^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii., cap. iv.,
pp. 149, 150.
3=5 See also Jocelyn's, or Sexta Vita S.
Patricii, cap. xciv., xcv., Colgan's "Trias
Thaumaturga," pp. 86, 87. Dr. Lanigan
adds :— " In this narrative there is nothing
repugnant to the ways of the Almighty,
who has been often pleased to impart to
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 33
for admitting, that during the illustrious Apostle's life-time, St. Brigid had
been abbess of a monastery, nor concerning her having woven that shroud,
in which St. Patrick's body was enveloped after death, and at his own parti-
cular request. 326 Still more, it nmst be observed, that neither Cogitosus,
nor the author of the first or of the fifth Life, has a single word about it.
What is very remarkable, moreover, these never once mention St. Patrick,
notwithstanding the care, with which they collected whatever could redound
to the honour of St. Brigid. Had she enjoyed those frequent interviews, or
kept up a correspondence with St. Patrick, or attended him at his death, it
is scarcely possible, that those writers, who are evidently her most ancient
biographers, should have been quite silent on such material points.
From her very childhood, we are told, she had been accustomed to an
excellent course of instruction ; and, as she grew up, this holy maiden pre-
sented each day some fresh proof of religious decorum and modesty. In
all things, she conformed to the inspirations of Divine Grace. Her very name
seemed pre-ordained to indicate her future spiritual state. 3^7 The story is
told of her, that when she was a mere child, playing at holy things, she got
a smooth slab of stone which she tried to set up as a little altar ; then a
beautiful angel joined in her play, and made wooden legs to the altar, and
bored four holes in the stone, into which the legs might be driven, so as to
make it stand. ^^^ Such legends as these — although inexactly preserved —
usually attest a life of virtue, from the cradle to the grave.
CHAPTER II.
THE SCOTCH CLAIM TO ST. BRIGID'S BIRTH EXAMINED — PROBABLE ORIGIN OF THIS
ERROR — REFUTATION — EARLY AND SUPERNATURAL INDICATIONS OF BRIGID's
SANCTITY — HER SPIRIT OF PROPHECY MANIFESTED— HER INFANTILE VIRTUES —
HER PROBABLE ACQUAINTANCE WITH ST. PATRICK DURING CHILDHOOD — HER RE-
SOLUTION TO LIVE A VIRGIN — HER CHARACTERISTICS AND COMPARISON TO THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BY THE IRISH.
It must appear strange, at the present day, to understand, that some of the
mediaeval Scotch chroniclers and historians reputed St. Brigid to have been
a native of modern Scotland. This idea probably arose from the fact, that
ancient writers of her Acts stated her having been born, her having lived, and
little ones secrets and gifts, which He with- Enfans celebres, what may we not expect
held from the learned and wise of this world. from the omnipotence of God in the order
It was thus that while the chief priests and of grace?" — *' Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
scribes remained in their infidelity, the chil- land," vol. i., chap, viii., n. 28, pp. 383,
dren cried out, Hosanna to the Son of David, 384.
through a Divine impulse, as appears from 3=^ This circumstance is mentioned, in the
our Saviour's answer to those wiseacres; Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. Ix., p. 534;
* And they said to him ; hearest thou what in the Quarta Vita S. Brigidoe, lib. ii., cap.
these say? Jesus replied; Yes: have you xxx., p. 554; and in the Sexta Vita S.
never read, that out of the mouth of injants Brigidse, sec. xlvi., p. 592.
and sucking babes thou hast perfected praise ?' 327 So Laurence of Durham appears to
Matt. xxi. 16. St. Brigid might have been think ; while Colgan remarks, that Brigh,
at that time ten or eleven years old, an age meaning "virtue," is likely to have been
fully sufficient to render her in the hands of the original Irish source for the name Brigida
God, an instrument fit for displaying the or Brigid. See "Trias Thaumaturga,**
wonderful effects of His grace and His know- Quinta Vita S. Brigidse, cap. viii., and n.
ledge of all things. If in what is called the 10, pp. 569, 640.
order of nature we find so many children of 3="^ See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's "Lives of
extraordinary precocity in learning, so many the Saints," vol. ii., February i, p. 17.
Vol. II. D
34
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i.
I
her having died in Scotia. Yet by such term, those do not refer to any other
country, except our own island. Among Scottish authors, who claim our illus-
trious patroness as their countrywoman, may be specially mentioned John
Major'' and Hector Boece.* Both Camerarius^ and Dempster* assert, that she
was born, and that she died, in Albania or British Scotia. It has been generally
advanced by old writers, that she was of Scottish race. Thus, George Gam-
feld,5 or Garnefelt, Antonio Possevino,^ Raphael Volaterranus,^ Sigebert Gem-
blacensis^ and Marianus^ write. That St. Brigid was born in Scotia is an opinion
formed by Antonius Sabellicus,^° by Petrus de Natalibus," and by a writer
of the general Chronicles of the World. Sigebert tells us, she died in the
same country at the year 578, and the Chronicle, entitled, "Rudimentum
Novitiorum," has her death at a.d. 520. Her Natalis, indeed, has been ob-
served in Scotia, on the ist of February. This may be found among nearly
all Hagiologists and Martyrologists. It is noted in the Roman Martyrology,
and in the Martyrologies of Bede, Usuard, Ado, Viennen., Rodulphus Rivius,
and the Carthusian Martyrology. Galesinus and many other writers, both
Irish and foreign, allow, that our saint was a native of Scotia. Yet, although
this be admitted, it will not follow, however, that St. Brigid was born in
British Scotia, or that her ancestors were natives of that country. On the
contrary, evidence is afforded, that the island known as Hibernia, had been
called Scotia, by ancient writers of every condition, age, and nation." We
are told, that previous to the eleventh century, no one thought of calling that
part of Britain, now known as Scotland, by the name of Scotia. Writers
usually called it Albania. All who mentioned Scotia to the period designated
understood Scotia as applicable to an island,'3 situated between Britain and
Spain. '4 If all other arguments were wanting in support of such a position,
various passages, found in the old acts. of St. Brigid, should be sufficient to
establish it. For by birth and descent, this holy virgin was evidently a native
of Ireland ; she died there ; and she was particularly venerated in our island.
Chap, ii.— * See "Historia Majoris Bri-
tanniae, tarn Anglise, quam Scotiae," lib. ii.,
cap. xiv., p. 85. Edinburgh edition, A.D.
1740, 4to.
= See "Scotorum Historise, a prima
gentis origine," &c., lib. ix., fol. clxiiii.
Prelum Ascensianum, fol.
3 See "De Statu Hominis, Veteris simul
ac novae Ecclesiae, et Infidelium Conver-
sione," lib. i., cap. iii., sec. ii. Camerarius
cites many authorities, yet these only prove
she was a "Virgo Scota." Among such
authorities are quoted, Rodulphus de Breda,'
Tungrensis Diaconus " In Calendario Gene-
rali." MassKus, "In Chronico," lib. xii.
Franciscus Rosier " Stemmatum Lothar-
ingiae," tomusiii. Gualterius, " In Chrono-
logio." Genebrardus "In Chronico." Ri-
badeneira " In Vitis Sanctorum." Delrio,
"Disquisis. Magic," tomus ii., lib. iv. Ja-
cobus Gretscrus in his preface to ' ' Com-
mentar. Exegetici in Serenissimum lacobum
Magnae Britannise Regem." Theuetus
" Cosmog," lib. xvi,, in his description of
Scotia. See pp. 140, 141.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum," tomus i., lib. ii., p. 82. Edinburgh
edition, 1829, 4to. Camerarius supposes
I, lib.
See
tomus
Chronicle" at A.D. 521, ibid.^
Dempster to have, "in mendicabulis re-
pressis Hibernorum," vindicated our St.
Brigid's fame for Scotland.
5 See " De Vita Eremitica," p. 223.
^ See "Apparatus Sacer," p. 252.
7 Commentariorum. Ad annum 52
xxi., p. 635.
^ See " Chronicon," ad annum 518.
" Monumenta Germanise Historica,"
vi., p. 314
9 In his
tomus V.
" See "iEnead," viii., lib. ii.
"See "Catalogus Sanctorum," lib. iii.,
cap. Ixix.
" Almost the sole exception is Dempster.
"With his follower Camerarius, that unac-
countable chronographer and chorographer
maintains an opposite opinion with a fantasy
peculiar to himself.
'3 This Colgan promised to prove from
ancient and modern writers, belonging to
every age and nation, in a volume where he
intended to illustrate solely the ecclesiastical
antiquities of Ireland. This work, however,
he did not live to publish.
'* In accord with a prevailing geographical
notion of the early and middle ages.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
35
Hence, as a consequence, when ancient writers mention her country as Scotia,
it is certain they must have meant Ireland.
Dempster most strangely asserts, that St. Brigid was born in Laudonia, a
province of Albanian Scotia. 's Now, by St. Columkille, Apostle of Al-
banian Scotia, and patron of Scotia Major or Hibernia, she is called our
Saint of I^genia. It may be objected, with Dempster, that when writers
treat about St. Brigid and her parents, the word Lagenia or Lageniensis are
everywhere incorrectly used for Laudenia, Ladenensis or Laudianensis.^*^
But this is clearly a foolish and blind subterfuge. Can he find in this
Laudenia, Kildare, Campus Leiife, Campus Gessille, Campus Bregh, with
many other Irish names and places, which as the author of her Third Life*7
relates are in St. Brigid's country, and which are well known to be situated
within the Irish province of Leinster ? Can he find, in his Scotia, the town
Macha or Armagh, the ecclesiastical metropolis of Ireland, or the great river
Sinann,^^ which turns its course from Albanian Scotia, and which from near
Clanawley district, runs through the middle of Ireland, into the ocean?
Both are placed by this same author in the Scotia of St. Brigid's birth. ^9
Dempster falsely assigns to his Scotia these places, and others mentioned
by him, such as Campus Femhin, Campus Cliach, Arx Lethglass. More-
over, very few writers, at the present day, even if ignorant regarding the
situation and obscure nomenclature of the places just mentioned, will be
foolish enough to claim for Scotland, all the other Irish provinces, viz. : —
Media, =*« Connacia," Lagenia," Ultonia,=3 Mummonia.^'^ So long as these
are left us, we can still lay claim to Hibernia, Brigid and Scotia. =^5 Again,
all the circumstances related, regarding her parentage,'^ birth,^? receiving the
^s St. Cogitosus, in the first chapter of her
life, says, that St, Brigid was born in Scotia,
and descended from the good and honour-
able family of Ethech, her father being
named Dubtach, and her mother Brocessa.
By the Scotia here mentioned, it is evident,
Scotia Major, or Ireland, must be intended ;
as well because no author who flourished
before the time of Cogitosus, nor any writer
who lived 400 years after him, understood
that any other country save Ireland had re-
ceived this name of Scotia, as also, because
Ethech's family flourished in Hibernia, and
not in Scotia Minor or Albania. Again,
the same author mentions a celebrated
church of St. Brigid at Kildare, which he
greatly extols in his prologue, and most ac-
curately describes in the 35th chapter of her
Life. In this church, he tells us, St. Brigid
was interred. He also names a most exten-
sive plain of BiL-, in the 27th chapter.
Other bishops of Ireland are alluded to in
this same life, as likewise in its prologue,
when the words, Scotia and Hibernia, Scoti
and Hibernienses are used as synonymous
terms.
^^ See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum," tomus i., lib, ii., pp. 82, 84.
^^ Attributed by Colgan to St. Ultan.
See •' Trias Thaumaturga, " Tertia Vita S.
Brigidae, cap. xlvii,, li,, lii,, liv., Ixii,, Ixiv.
Many other references might be made.
*^ Now the Shannon.
^9 See ibid.^ cap. Ixii., xcvii.
=° Now Meath.
=^ Now Connaught.
^ Now Leinster.
=3 Now Ulster.
=4 Now Munster.
"S See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap.
iv,, pp, 614, 615,
"^^ In his Life of our samt, and m the first
chapter, when speaking of her father, St.
Ultan tells us, that he was a certain Dubtach,
genere Lageniensis, &c. He states, that St.
Brigid's mother had been sold to a certain
Magus belonging to the family of Neill and
to the territory of Meath, at a time when
she bore our saint in her womb (cap. 3).
Animosus, or the author of St. Brigid's
Fourth Life, informs us, that there was a
glorious king in Ireland named Fedhlimid
Reachtmar, see lib. i., cap. i., how Eochad
Fionn, brother to this same king, had mi-
grated to Leinster, and that there Dubtach,
St. Brigid's father, descended from him.
See ibid.
=7 The author of the Fourth Life of St.
Brigid tells us, how a certain poet from the
northern part of Ireland bought Brosaech
the mother of St. Brigid, during a time
when she was pregnant (cap. 4) ; and when
treating about the place of our saint's birth,
he assures us, that it was a town named
Fochart Murthemne, of Conaille Muirlhem-
36
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
veil, personal connexionSj^"^ the places she visited, ^9 the houses she founded,
and where she died,3o can only have reference to Ireland. 3^ Besides all this,
the unanimous opinions and traditions of the Irish and of every other foreign
nation tend to establish most conclusively, that the illustrious and super-
eminent virgin,32 called even " the Mary of Ireland,"33 had been ever con-
tinuously and specially regarded as a native and great patron saint in our
country.
At the present day, it would prove quite superfluous to enter upon any
enquiry as to the country of St. Brigid's birth ; a weight of historical autho-
rity and universal popular tradition fully vindicating the claims of Ireland to
this honour. Yet, it appears, Colgan thought it necessary, in his time, to
devote a rather lengthened dissertation to establish a position controverted
by certain Avriters.34 In order to expose Dempster's misstatements, and
those of other Brito-Scottish writers, he addresses many arguments, although
dubious, if it would not seem diminishing the force of manifest truth by
proving a self-evident proposition. In the first place, that she was of Irish
descent and born in Ireland, had been established by authorities numerously
cited. Foreign as well as domestic writers bear abundant testimony to the
fact that St. Brigid was a native of our island. Thus Raban,35 Notkar,36 St.
hne district, in the province of Ulster (cap.
6). See Ussher, " De Primordiis Ecclesi-
arum Britannise," cap, xvi., p. 706.
^^ It can be shown, by referring to their
descent, festivals, places, and days of vene-
ration, that many saints, allied to St. Brigid,
were Irish.
*9 The author of St. Brigid's Third Life-
thought by Colgan to be St. Ultan — states,
that St. Brigid was born in the country and
house of a Magus (cap. 4) ; that this identical
Magus went with the infant to Connaught,
so soon as she was born (cap. 5) ; and, in
the following chapter, he relates, how the
child had been brought up in Connaught,
until she had become a grown maiden. He
tells us, how she returned to Lagenia,
where her father lived (cap. 11) ; how she
was called another Mary, at a certain synod,
assembled in the plain of the Liffey, in which
Kildare is situated (cap. 14) ; how, in com-
pany with her father, she left the house of
this latter to visit the King of Leirister, in
the Liffey 's great plain (cap. 90). He re-
lates, how she had received the veil in that
land, belonging to the Niall family (cap. 18),
and which is identical with Meath, as after-
wards indicated (cap. 2i). He also records,
in the following chapters, what she achieved
in different countries and provinces of Ire-
land, as for instance, in Theba (cap. 39) ;
how she accompanied St. Patrick to the
northern part of Ireland, called Ulster, and
what she did at the Castle of Lethglass and
in the town of Macha (cap. 57, 60, 61) ;
how she went with Bishop Ere, of Munster
descent, into the southern province of Ire-
land (cap. 71) ; how returning to the ex-
treme bounds of Leinster, she entered the
Labrathi country (cap. 81), and how in fine,
returning to her father's house, she saved
him from impending death (cap. 2>J). We
have already seen, that in a hymn subjoined
to St. Ultan's Life of our saint, she is said
to have been distinguished in that island,
*' quse vocatur Hibernia," &c. If St. Brigid
had been bom in Britain, is it not strange,
that St. Ultan, in no place, speaks of her
birth, education, religious profession, &c.,
as having occurred there, while these inci-
dents, and special localities already men-
tioned, are referable alone to Ireland ? Nor
does he even indicate, in one single instance,
that she had ever left our island.
3° In his Life of our saint, when describing
the church of Kildare in Leinster, Cogitosus
tells us, that St. Brigid was buried in it
(cap, XXXV,), And, towards the end of her
Acts, Animosus says, that she died, and was
buried in Ireland (lib. ii., cap. xcix,).
Blessed Marianus Scotus, in liis Chronicle,
at the year 521, writes, ** S, Brigida Scota
Virgo in Hibernia diem clausit extremum. "
3' These reliable writers, St. Cogitosus,
St. Cormac, archbishop, Animosus, Keat-
ing, and others, exhibit this fact sufliciently,
when introducing her paternal and maternal
genealogies.
3' St. ^ngus calls her a "bright Virgin
and chief of holy Irishwomen," in his Festi-
logy, at the 1st of February, In like manner,
Marianus O'Gorman, at the same date,
styles her " Chief- Virgin or Chief of the
Virgins of Ireland,"
33 Among Irish authorities may be enu-
merated, St, Ibar, an Irish Apostle, who
calls St. Brigid, "Mary of the Irish," when
she came from the house of her father Dub-
tach to that synod, assembled at Kildare,
in Leinster,
3^ Such as Dempster and Camerarius,
35 In his Martyrology, at the 1st of Feb-
ruary, Raban says, " In Hibernia nativitas
S, Brigidae."
3* In his Martyrology, St. Notkar enters
at the same day : "In Hibernia nativitas
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
37
Bernard,37 Florence of Worcester,38 John Capgrave,39 Francis Hare,4°
Zacharias Lippeloo,^^ Cornelius Grassius,4» the English Martyrology,43
Baronius,44 Herebert Rosweyde,<s Legends of the Brabantine Saints,^^ and
a great number of other highly respectable authorities, may be cited.
Various Breviaries and offices might be added.'*^ Nor even do Scotch
authors of respectability^^ deny this origin for the Scotian virgin, in ages now
past ; while none of them at present claim Scotland to have been the country
of her birth, although she is there greatly venerated.
It may easily be supposed, however, that John Major49 and Hector
S. Brigidce, Virginis," &c.
37 In "Vita S. Malachire," he speaks of
Fochart, as being the birth-place of St.
Brigid, while alluding to St. Malachy's acts
and travels in Ireland, cap. xxiv.
3^ Florence of Worcester records, " S.
Brigida Scota Virgo in Hibernia obiit,"
A.D. 521.
39 John Capgrave, in his ** Legenda Sanc-
torum Anglise," says, " Vir quidam in Hi-
bernia nomine Dubthacus, genere Lage-
niensis," &c.
*° " VitDe Sanctorum," at the ist of Feb-
ruary.
4' " Vitse sive Res Gestae Sanctorum," at
the 1st of February.
4* At the 1st of February.
43 The English Marty rology, at the 1st of
February, says, "In Hibernia depositio
S. Brigidae, virginis, quae in Comitatu Kill-
dariensi in loco Fochart appellato nata est."
44 At this same year, 521 Baronius says,
" Hoc insuper anno S. Brigida, Scota Virgo
in Hibernia diem clausit extremum. Hoc
in Chronico gentilis ipsius Marianus Scotus,
cui potius assentiendum putamus, quam, lis
qui ante biennium defunctam ponunt." —
" Annales Ecclesiastici," tomus vii.
45 In his "Chronicle," at the year 521 :
** Eodem anno S. Virgo Brigida, cujus prae-
clara vita hodie extat, in Hibernia obiit."
4* In the "Legenda Sanctorum Brabantiae"
we read : " S. Brigida venerabilis Virgo
Hibernia fuit instar suaveolentis rosse, quae
super spinas floret."
47 That St. Brigid was an Irishwoman and
a Lagenian, both by birth and descent, will
be found in her ofhce in the " Breviarium
Gienensum," when we read : "Natale Bri-
gidae Virginis quas a Christianis nobilibus-
que parentibus orta, patre Dubthaco et
matre Broca, a pueritia bonarum artium
studiis inolevit, adeo ut de omnibus pro-
vinciis Hibemise innumerabiles populi con-
fluentes ad ejus monasterium," &c. (cap. 2).
Again, in her office, printed at Paris, A.D.
1620, Resp. I, "Felicem Hiberniam beata
Lagenia declarat, Brigida; gignans prosapiam,
de qua latitiam sumat ecclesia ;" and in the
hymn, " Haec est Laurus Hibemiae, cujus
viror non marcuit," &c.
4^ James Gordon, himself a Scotchman,
in his " Chronicle," at the year 521 : " S.
Brigida Scota moritur in Hibernia." John
Bisciol in his " Epitonie Annalium," A.D.
521, writes, " S. Brigida Scota Virgo in
Hibernia diem clausit extremum." See
Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." Appendix
Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap. iv., pp.
615, 616.
49 It is strange that Major— otherwise so
learned — could have fallen into so many
chronological and historic mistakes, as,
when citing Bede for authority, he states,
that St. Columba came into Britain, while
Brudeus, a powerful king, reigned over the
Picts ; that Gamard, the son of Dompnach,
succeeded to Brudeus, and built a collegiate
church at Abernethy. Afterwards, it is
added, the blessed Patrick brought St.
Brigid into that place ; when Gamard pre-
sented certain possessions to the holy Brigid
and to nine virgins, who accompanied her.
These possessions the Propositus and canons
held in his time. See "Historia Majoris
Britanniae," &c., lib. ii., cap. xiv., p. 85.
Bede testifies, indeed, that St. Columba
came from Ireland to Albania in the year
565, while Brudeus or Bridius, son of Meilo-
chon, ruled over the Picts. See " Historia
Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii.,
cap. iv., pp. 168, 169. Gamard succeeded
in the government. Now, according to
Marianus Scotus and Sigebert, in their
Chronicles, St. Patrick died A.D. 491, or
according to other admitted accounts, in
493. Thus, he flourished many years be-
fore St. Columba and Brudeus were bora,
or before Gamard reigned. Wherefore, St.
Patrick could not have introduced St. Brigid
into Abernethy, during the time when lived
any of those already named. In fine, how
could St. Brigid be installed at Abernethy,
about the time of Garnard, king over the
Picts, if she died a.d. 521, or according to
other accounts, in 523 ? or how could that
king offer possessions to her, and to the
nine virgins, accompanying her? If it be
objected. Major meant that King Garnard,
bestowed those possessions, not during St.
Brigid's life-time but to express his great
veneration for her, when she had departed
from this world ; why, it may be asked, does
he observe, that the aforesaid church had been
built by Gamard, that St. Brigid had been
inducted there, and that certain endowments
were made, unless St. Brigid and her virgins
were living ? We may remark, there is not;
3^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Boetius,5° who advance these statements, did not voluntarily fall into error :
they had even some apparent foundation whereon their opinions might have
been based. The source of their mistake seems to have arisen from the in-
determinate name of Brigid. Giraldus Cambrensis, too, has strangely con-
fused her period.s^ Many other holy women bear a similar name and be-
long to our country, as mentioned in native martyrologies. Nay more, in
Scotland, the name of Brigid was highly extolled, and several females were
named after her. Among others, there was a certain saint so called, who
had been buried at Abernethys^ in Britannic Scotia.53 Abernethy as a see
was at one time superior to St. Andrew's. 54 It was even primatial,55 but it
was transferred to the latter place, in 850.5'^ That Brigid, however, was quite
a different person from the Patroness of Ireland.57 As this latter, had been
much more celebrated and exalted in popular estimation, she was probably
considered to have been the person alluded to, by those writers mentioned ;
they not having known about any other Brigid, nor having weighed atten-
tively those arguments, which might favour a contrary conclusion.s^ It is
\
a shadow — much less a probability — of
truth, in the supposition, that St. Brigid, a
Scot, and by profession a Christian, left her
country and Christian friends, with a band
of virgins, or betook herself to a Pagan and
hostile nation, as alsobeforeits kingand chiefs
had been converted, establishing herself
there in a royal city, where she dwelt to the
time of her death. The Northern Picts,
with their king, had been pagans, for more
than forty years after St. Brigid's death,
and until St. Columba came, from Ireland in
565, when he afterwards converted them to
the faith. These facts are sufficiently clear,
from the testimony of Venerable Bede.
See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
rum," lib. iii., cap. iv., pp. 168, 169, and
lib. v., cap. X., pp. 400 to 403.
5° See " Scotorum Historise, a prima Gen-
tis Origine," &c., lib. ix., fol. clxiiii.
S' Thus he states, that St. Patrick, St.
Brigid, and St. Columkille were cotem-
poraries. See "Topographia Hibernica,!'
Dist. iii., cap, xviii., in Giraldi Cambrensis
** Opera." Edited by James F. Dimock,
M.A., p. 163. Father Stephen White de-
votes nearly a chapter to an elaborate refu-
tation of this misstatement, and to other
errors in relation to them. See "Apologia
pro Hibernia," cap. xii., pp. 123 to 131.
Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition.
5' See an interesting account of this place
in FuUarton's " Imperial Gazetteer of Scot-
land," vol. i., pp. 22 to 24.
53 In Colgan s opinion, the St. Brigid, in-
terred at Abernethy, should rather be con-
sidered a holy virgin, who was a disciple of
St. Columba, Bishop of Dunkeld, in Scot-
land. She is mentioned in Capgrave's
"Acta S. Cuthberti," and in Ussher's
"Primordia Ecclesiarum Britannicarum,"
cap. xvi., p. 705, where we read, "S. Co-
lumba primus Episcopus in Dunkeld Cuth-
bertum puerum suscepit ; unaque cum
puella quadam nomine Brigida ex Hibernia
oriunda retinuit, et aliquamdiu educavit."
It is supposed, if the circumstances of time
do not warrant such an opinion, those of
place are favourable to it, for this St. Brigid
had been educated in Britannic Scotia.
54 See Rev. Mackenzie E. C. Walcott's
*' Scoti-Monasticon : The Ancient Church
of Scotland," p, 2.
55 Ibid., p. 72. This work contains some
beautiful illustrations of Scottish churches.
5^ Ibid., p. 84.
57 It is said, St. Cuthbert flourished in
Britain, about a.d. 660, and at this period,
Garnard lived according to Buchannan's
"Rerum Scoticarum Historia," lib. v., p.
148. He died A.D. 640, the fifty-third king
of the Picts. See Rev. Thomas Innes'
" Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scot-
land." Chronological Memoirs, p. 225.
58 In his time, John Major remarks, that
St. Brigid was venerated at Abernethy.
See "Historise Majoris Britannise," lib. ii.,
cap. xiv., p. 85. But, if this be not the
identical Brigid there venerated, she might
have been a St. Brigid, daughter to Neman,
son of Aid, son to Loarn, son to Ere, son to
Eochad, sumamed Muinreamhuir, Prince of
Dalaradia. She is thought to have been
venerated in Magoluinge, on the 9th of
March. It is certain, this Brigid, with her
three sisters Corba, Lassara, and Lemania,
had descended from the line of Dalriadan
princes, who were formerly most powerful
chiefs both in Scotia Major, or Ireland, and
in Scotia Minor, or Scotland. From this
line, the kings of Albanian Scotia issued.
In the same Albanian Scotia we find a loca-
lity, termed Magluinge. This appears, where
the plain of Lunge is said to have been "in
terra Ethica," according to Adamnan's
"Vita S. Columbse," lib. ii., cap. 15. The
country, called " terra Ethica, seems to
have derived its denomination from Ethech
or Echodius, prince of Dalaradia, or as he
is called by the British Scots Ethod.
February i.] LIVES OE 7HE IRISH SAINTS. 39
not difficult, moreover, to discover the origin of that error, into which Hector
Boetius,59 and other writers after him, had been betrayed, when they state,
that St. Brigid of Kildare was veiled in the Isle of Man, and by Bishop
Machille. In some of St. Brigid's Acts, we read, that she had received the
veil from a Bishop Machille, or more correctly, from a Bishop Maccalleus.^
In certain Acts of the Irish Apostle,*^^ it is stated, that Maccaldus, or more
properly Macculleus, a disciple to our illustrious Irish Apostle, had been
consecrated a bishop and placed over the Isle of Man.*^* Hence, it had been
incorrectly supposed St. Brigid received the veil in that island, while it is
evident from her Acts by Cogitosus, that she had been invested with it, not
in Mannia,^3 but in Media, ^-^ and that it had been given to her, not by
Macculleus, Bishop of Man, but by another Maccalleus, quite a different
person from the first-named prelate.^s
It will surprise the curious investigator of our glorious saint's biography,
to learn on what grounds Scoto-British writers state her birth to have taken
place in Laudonia, that she was veiled by Bishop Machille in Mona Island,^
that she died and was buried at Abernethy,67 in the Tiffa district of North
Britain ; especially, when we take into account, that among many writers of
St. Brigid's Acts, no one of them has even stated, she was born out of Ireland,
or has mentioned any other place or country in Britain having connection
with her Life and labours. We can hardly take into account Dempster's
ridiculous explanation, that Ladenia,^^ a province of Britain, should be sub-
stituted for Lagenia. In previous passages, it will be seen, that the most
authentic accounts make St. Brigid, not only a native of Ireland, but they
even assert she was conceived in Leinster, was born in Ulster, and had been
educated in Connaught ; they likewise state, that she assumed the veil in
Meath, while her labours extended to Munster, as well as to those other
provinces already mentioned. In fine, it is stated, she died at Kildare in
Leinster, and afterwards she was honourably interred at Down in Ulster,
having been deposited in the same tomb with St. Patrick and Columkille.
Moreover, her paternal and maternal genealogy, derived through such a long
line of ancestors, so many saints related to her, so many other holy Irish
virgins bearing her name, and so many journeys take;i by her, through Irish
59 See "Scotorum Historic," &c., lib. ''s See "Appendix Quarta ad Acta S.
ix., fol. clxiiii. Brigidae," cap. iv., pp. 614 to 617, ibid.
^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga. " ^ A fine old Map of Mona, with Coats of
Hymnus seu Prima Vita S. Brigidae, sec. 8, Arms, coloured, was published in folio size
p. 515. Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. iii., about A.D. 1620. In 1835, was issued at
p. 519. Quinta Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxix., Douglas, in 8vo shape, Arch. Cregeen's
p. 574' "Dictionary of the Manks Language, inter-
^^ By Jocelyn. spersed with many Gaelic Proverbs."
^' See " Sexta Vita S. Patricii," cap. clii., ^^ There is an interesting account of Aber-
p. 98. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." nethy (Apumethige) in Rev. Mackenzie E.
^3 The Island of Man. See " Chronicon S. Walcott's " Ancient Church of Scotland,"
Manniee, or a Chronicle of the Kings of pp. 316, 317.
Man," supposed to have been written by the ^^ Colgan says, he could not find any pro-
Monks of the Abbey of Russin, for an in- vince, territory or spot, called Laudenia or
teresting account of the civil and ecclesias- Landian. If perchance, Dempster wished
tical history of the island. This i2mo book, to understand Laudonia, most certainly in
published in 1 784, contains the Norwegian St. Brigid's time, it did not belong to the
narrative of Olave, the Black King of Man, Picts or Scots, but to the more southern
with other curious particulars. Britons. In the century of Venerable Bede,
^* Or the territory of Meath. See Colgan's it appertained to the Northumbrians and
"Trias Thaumaturga." Secunda Vita S. English. This is proved by Ussher, in his
Brigidae, cap. iii., p. 519, and n. ii, p. 525, "Primordia Ecclcsiarum Britannicarum,"
ibid. pp. 663, 667.
40
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
towns, plains and territories, from her birth to the time of her death, prove
conclusively, that St. Brigid should be specially classed among our national
saints. It is not a little surprising — to say the least of it — to find Dempster^?
has not only infelicitously, but even incautiously, jumbled irrelevant circum-
stances, with his assertions. 7° It is incredible to suppose, that so many reliable
authors, as those already cited, could egregiously and perseveringly have
corrupted the names of Lagenia and Laudenia, in the manner it has pleased
Dempster alone to imagine, and that without any grounds.7^ To assume
that he meant Laudonia,72 if we allow, that before Bede's time, it belonged
to Albania, it certainly was never under the Scottish dominion, but solely
under that of the Picts, from whom Pictland is called. If therefore, St.
Brigid had been born in Laudonia,73 it must be conceded, she was not a
Scot, but a Briton, or at least a Pict, by family and birth.
To resume what we consider the more legendary accounts of our saint's
early infancy, it is said, that the Magus, the mother of St. Brigid, her nurse
and others, who were sitting in a certain place without the house, saw a cloth
take fire suddenly,74 and it touched the head of this holy child, who was
beside them. But, when their hands were immediately stretched forth to ex-
tinguish the flame, it disappeared at once, and the cloth was even found to
have escaped the ravages of this fire. Such a portent was supposed to have
been an indication, that the grace of the Holy Spirit inflamed God's servant. 7S
On another occasion, while this same Magus was sleeping, he had a vision
of two angels,76 clothed in white, pouring oil on the girl's head, and seeming
to perform a baptismal rite in the usual manner. 77 From such account,
some persons have inferred our saint had been baptized by an angel. How-
ever, this should be a false conjecture, as the Magus is merely said to have
seen this apparition during his sleep, and it only indicated the future per-
formance of the rite, as also the name Brigid was destined to bear.7^
One of those angels said to 'the Magus : " Call this virgin Brigid, for
^ This writer remarks, St. Brigid has been
called a Lagenian, whereas, she ought to be
considered a Ladenian ; her father, it is pre-
tended, having been from Ladenia, deno-
minated Landian, in Dempster's time. '* Ex
Ladenia nunc Landian," &c. See "His-
toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," lib.
ii., num. 144.
7° These manifestly false statements ob-
viously destroy all faith in accounts, the in-
accuracy of which could not otherwise be so
easily detected by a cursory reader of his
works. "Wilful negligence and perversion of
facts are very clearly attributable to this self-
constituted historian.
7' Yet, after all, if we should institute a
careful examination of the entire map of
British Scotland, we shall not be able to
discover the Ladenia or Landian, imagined
by Dempster, no more than we could expect
to find Lagenia there. Having attentively
read over all the names of Albanian Scotia's
provinces, territories and other particular
localities, and their very accurate descrip-
tions, as given by Hector Boetius and George
Buchannan, Colgan could find no such de-
nomination.
7' A very interesting account of this pro-
vince, Loudian, or Lothian, will be found in
Chalmers' "Caledonia," vol. i., book iii.,
chap, vi., pp. 367 to 373.
73 As Dempster states.
74 In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
the Saint, this cloth is called the covering
or cap, which was on the infant's head, pp.
7,8.
75 See Colgan's «' Trias Thaumaturga."
Tertia Vita S. Brigidce, cap. vi., pp. 527,
528. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap.
X., p. 547, ibid.
7<^ The Irish Life has three angels, clothed
in white garments, like clerics. Professor
O'Looney's copy, pp. 7, 8.
77 Colgan remarks, that the ministry of
angels is often read, as having been em-
ployed in the administration of the sacra-
ments to men. The Fifth Life expressly
says; "aqua perfundentes totum ordinem
baptismatis sicut Catholica consuevit eccle-
sia, super cam peregerunt." Colgan adds
that a succeeding prophecy seems to have
its truth confirmed from experience. See
"Trias Thaumaturga." Quarta Vita S.
BrigidoB, n. 16, p. 564. Quinta Vita S.
Brigidx, cap. viii., p. 569, and nn. 9, 11,
p. 640.
78 See Tertia Vita S. Brigidac, n. 7, p.
543. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, n. 15, p. 564.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 41
she shall be full of grace before God and man, and her name shall be
celebrated throughout the entire world." Pronouncing such words, those
angels disappeared. On a certain occasion, being awake, and studying the
course of the heavenly bodies, according to a usual custom79 during the .,.,
whole night, that same Magus saw a column of fire ascending from the » ,
house, in which Brigid and her mother slept. He called another man to
witness such phenomenon. In the morning, an account of this prodigy was
given to many other persons.^ We are told, that the child's stomach
rejected the food of the Magus, and on endeavouring to discover a cause for
such nausea, the magician was urged to cry out : " I am unclean, but this
girl is filled with graces of the Holy Spirit, and that is the reason why she
will not retain any sustenance which I supply to her." Whereupon, he
procured a white cow,^^ which was intended to give milk, while a certain
religious and Christian woman was provided to take charge of the infant.
That woman milked the cow, and the milk, afterwards given to the child,
was found to agree with her. Yet, while the infant suffered from weakness,
her personal beauty even improved.^^ As the maid grew up, she served in
menial offices about the house. ^3 Whatever she touched or saw, in the
shape of food, seemed to increase in a miraculous manner. It is remarked,
that the Magus and his family were Pagans at the time of these occurrences.
Afterwards, however, he became a Christian. A little before this latter
event, the faith of Christ is said to have come into Ireland. ^^ On a certain
day, the infant's voice was heard praying to God, while extending her little
hands towards heaven. A certain man saluted her, and to him she replied,
" This will be mine ; this will be mine." Hearing such words, he said ;
" This is truly a prophecy, for the infant says this place shall belong to her
for ever." And her prediction was exactly fulfilled.^s in course of time, a
79 The Fourth Life has it, " suoque more nion, being obliged to take a little water
astra coeli considerans," &c. It may be immediately afterwards, in order to facilitate
asked, if this passage throws any light on such an effort. On each Thursday, also,
the supposed ^astronomical pursuit of the she rather tasted than drank a little water.
Druids ? And during such a long lapse of time, she
^° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," neither eat or drank anything, besides what
Tertia Vita S, Brigidae, cap. vii., viii., p. has been already mentioned. Nor had she
528. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap. even an appetite for eating or drinking,
xi., p, 547, ibid. As usual, the foregoing Although she was reduced to a great degree
circumstances are greatly amplified in the of bodily prostration, and could not walk :
Fifth Life of our Saint, where it is added, yet, her mental powers were unimpaired,
that the Magus and his wife took care to she had the faculty of speech, and retained
provide a nurse for the infant. This nurse a great appearance of personal comeliness,
assisted the mother in attending to its wants. This wonderful example of abstinence, it is
It is also said, the heads of the family were said, could be vouched for, by more wit-
very indulgent to the mother, even although nesses than even the inhabitants of that
they held her as a slave. Quinta Vita S. village, in which the maiden lived. Hence,
Brigidse, cap. viii. , p. 569, ibid. a less remarkable instance, in St. Brigid's
^^ Professor O'Looney's Irish Life has a case, cannot be reasonably doubted. The
"white red-eared cow," pp. 9, 10. writer then adds, that what the Almighty
2=^ The writer of St. Brigid's Fifth Life had effected for the virgin then living was
remarks, that this account should not excite only known to the great Author and for an
the incredulity — even if it might the admi- undefinable reason. See Vita Quinta-S. Bri-
ration — of his readers ; for, in his own day, gidse, cap. x., xi., pp. 569, 570, ibid.
it was possible to see a certain virgin, that ^3 Professor O'Looney's Irish Life states,
dwelt in the south of England, and that she that she used to train the sheep, supply the
lived for twenty years in her father's house, birds, and feed the poor, pp. 9, 10.
without taking any kind of food, except the ^-^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga, "
Body of our Lord, which she received on Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. x., p. 528.
all Sundays of the year. And as the passage Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap. vii., p.
through the throat was of narrow compass, 547, ibid.
she could scarcely swallow Holy Commu- ^s in «' The Life of St. Brigid, * the Mary
42
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
large parish was formed in that part of the country, and it was dedicated to
St. Brigid.^^ Learning those foregoing words, some local inhabitants went
to the Magus and said to him : " Do you remain with us, but let the girl,
who has prophesied that our lands will belong to her, retire." The Magus
replied : " I shall not leave my female slave and her daughter, but I will
rather quit your country." Then the Magus, with his family, is said to have
directed his course towards Munster, his native province.^7 There, also, he
inherited a paternal estate. ^^
In St. Brigid's Third Life, we afterwards read of a desire entering the
daughter's mind to return — in all probability — to her father's home. On
learning this wish, the Magus sent messengers to Dubtach, who was informed,
that his daughter could be received free. The father of our Saint was greatly
rejoiced. On the reception of this message, he went to the magician's
house, whence he returned,^? accompanied by his daughter. The Christian
nurse also followed her youthful charge.9° This attendant was seized with
some complaint. Our Saint, accompanied by another girl, was sent to the
house of a certain man,9': that they might procure a draught of beer for the
patient. In this expectation, it appears, the messengers were disappointed ;
but on their return homewards, St. Brigid turned out of her course towards
a particular well.^'* Here she filled the vessel borne with water, and instantly
of Erin,' and the special Patroness of the
Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin," by an
Irish Priest, the late Rev. Mr. O'Donnell of
Maynooth College, the expressions of the
holy infant are referred, not to an earthly,
but to a heavenly, inheritance. See chap.
i., p. 9. Dublin, 1859, i8mo.
**" Colgan maintains, that from the manner
in which this account is conveyed in her
Third Life, by the word ' * parrochia, " the
author means a district of ecclesiastical land,
dedicated to St. Brigid, according to an old
custom. In Colgan's time, there was a parish
church consecrated to St. Brigid, in the
diocese of Elphin, within the district of
Soil-mured-haigh, and in the province of
Connaught. Formerly a monastery was
there endowed with ample possessions.
The author, in Colgan's opinion, must have
flourished at a distant date ; for, he says,
that district was large, that a considerable
tract of land was attached, and that it
was St. Brigid's patrimony. For many
ages before Colgan's time, the tract there
was of no large extent, nor did it belong to
St. Brigid's order. See "Trias Thauma-
turga," Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, n. 8, p.
543, ibid. However, it may still be ques-
tioned, if Colgan rightly indentified the
locality, to which allusion has been made.
^1 These circumstances are also briefly
related in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life,
pp. 7, 8.
^ These circumstances are related in the
Third and Fourth Lives of our Saint. See
Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Tertia
S. Brigidae, cap. ix., p. 528. Vita Quarta
S. Brigidee, cap. xii., p. 579. In the latter
record, we find these following additional
particulars related: "Cum jam crevisset
quidem corpore, sed plus fidespe et charitate,
sancta puella fideliter ministrabat." Then
twenty-one or twenty-two chapters of the
latter life are said to be missing. In a note
we find remarked, that these seem to have
been omitted, owing to the fault of a scribe.
But their tenor may be gleaned from the
ninth to the thirty-second chapter of the
preceding life. See ibid, n. 17, p. 564.
^ It is stated to be in Ui Failge, or Offaly,
in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, pp. 9, lo.
9° Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita
Tertia S. Brigidas, cap. xi., p. 528. In the
Fifth Life of our Saint, the same circum-
stances apparently are somewhat differently
related. After describing the virtues, which
characterized the holy maiden, when absent
from her paternal roof, the writer then pro-
ceeds to relate how her father impulsively
thanked God for having sent him such a
daughter. While leaving her mother still a
captive, Brigid and her nurse were brought
to his house. There his daughter was re-
ceived with the most affectionate care. See
Quinta Vita S. Brigidee, cap. xiii., p. 570>
ibid. See also "The Life of St. Brigid,"
by an Irish Priest, chap, ii., pp. 14, 15.
9' In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, he
is named Baethchu, pp. 9, 10.
9" The account runs, that she was enabled
lo express these words, as versified in the
Sixth Life :
" Qucerite cervisiam : mihi mcdo magna
voluptas."
Then follow these lines i
*' Brigida (tunc fuerat juvenis et pulchm
puella)
Mittitur ad vicos quaerendo quippe liquo*
rem,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43
it became changed into an excellent description of beer.93 When the nurse
tasted it, she recovered from her infirmity.94 This miracle is also alluded to
in one of St. Brigid's offices.
Most of those foregoing accounts are altogether omitted, from narratives
which are considered to have been the earliest and most authentic biogra-
phies of our Saint ; and there is every reason to suppose them altogether
legendary, and undeserving attention. Nor can we find any valid reason to
question a supposition already adduced,9s that our Saint's parents, besides
being of noble family, were also Christians, and that St. Brigid herself was
born in lawful wedlock. All her biographers seem agreed, however, that
from her earliest youth, this illustrious maiden was remarkable for every
noble and virtuous characteristic, foreshadowing the future Saint. To her
Christian nurse is attributed much of that holy training, which during child-
hood made her a devout client of Jesus and Mary.96 when this holy virgin
grew to the years of discretion, and even from her most tender youth, she
was distinguished for her extraordinary virtues f^ especially, for that grave
decorum and modesty, which bestowed dignity and propriety on her every
word and action. Each day she acquired some new virtue, or increased in
spiritual progress. She was early grounded in doctrines of the Christian's
Faith j and she must have received, also, some secular education, corre-
sponding with the rank of her parents. From earliest years she was distin-
guished for instances of extraordinary charity, especially towards the poor.
An anecdote of her childhood is related.s^ The youthful virgin was bounti-
ful and hospitable to such a degree, that she frequently distributed to the
poor and to strangers large quantities of milk and butter, which her mother
had committed to her charge. In consequence of this generous propensity,
she found on a certain occasion, that her store was completely exhausted.
Being accustomed each day to superintend the labours of her maids and of
her daughter, in various departments of their industry, our Saint's mother
was about to make her usual inquiries, when fearing reproof for the improvi-
Virgo Dei properans una comitante account, and all that follows in this biogra-
sorore. phy, so far as the 35th chapter, are wanting
Quidam cervisiam, quamvis velabat, ha- in the Fourth Life. See ibid, n. 8, p. 543.
bebat : The circumstances of this miracle are related,
Virginibus sacris stultus donare negabat." with certain modifications, in the Fifth and
Sixth Lives. In the former, it is said,
Further on this line occurs : during her infirmity, the nurse suffered
greatly from thirst, and that St. Brigid
*' Qui latices gelidos Lyei convertit in un- signed the water drawn from the well, with
das :" a sign of the cross, while those, who were
present and witnessed the miraculous effect
to which Colgan appends this note, that in the produced, admired and extolled our Saint's
MS. for lyei, or more correctly, lya:i, was to faith and miraculous powers. It is here
be found cccli(z. But because the author said, likewise, that two girls accompanied
seems to allude to the change by Christ of the Saint, when she proceeded on her er-
water into wine at Cana in Galilee, lycni rand. In the Sixth Life, it is stated, that
appears to be the correct reading. See "Trias the nurse had been seized with a burning
Thaumaturga," Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, fever, so that she could scarcely articulate
cap. xvi., p. 571 ; and Sexta Vita S. Bri- owing to thirst,
gidae, sec. iii,, p. 583, and n. 8, p. 598, ibid. 9S Especially by Dr. Lanigan.
93 The kind of beer alluded to was mead, 56 gee " The Life of St. Brigid," by an
as expressed in the metrical life. It appears Irish Priest, chap, i., pp. 10 to 13.
to have been a favourite drink among the '^^ See the various published Offices and
ancient Irish ; and, most likely, it was little accounts of our Saint, by different writers.
— if at all — impregnated with intoxicating ^s By Cogitosus. In Professor O'Looney's
properties. Irish Life of St. Brigid, this account is am-
9-* Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita plified, and St. Brigid's prayer is rendered
Tertia S. Brigidfe, cap. xii,, p. 528. Such into three Irish stanzas, pp. il to 14,
44
LIVES OF THE imSff SAINTS. [February i.
dcnce admitted into household concerns, Brigid betook herself to prayer.
The Almighty graciously heard her petitions, and miraculously increased the
exhausted store of butter.99 When this remarkable circumstance became
known to the handmaids, these admired the girFs wonderful trust in Divine
Providence, and then gave praise to God, who rewarded her Faith, Hope
and Charity, by the performance of this miracle in her behalf. ^°°
At another time, it is related, while engaged in providing food for some
noble guests, '°' she was so much moved with the whining and eager gestures
of a dog, that she gave him a great portion of the bacon she had been cook-
ing, and, afterwards, she found more than a sufficiency remaining, for the
entertainment of the strangers. ^°'* These anecdotes serve to impress us most
agreeably, with the natural kindliness and generosity of her youthful
disposition.
It appears quite probable, that in her youth, the pious maiden must have
been known, to the great Irish Apostle Patrick. For, it is related, in the
Tripartite Life of this latter Saint, that on a certain occasion, when preaching
99 This account is also given in various
Offices and other narratives, regarding our
Saint. See likewise "The Life of St.
Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, ii., pp.
17, 18.
^°° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. ii,, p. 519.
Capgrave relates this miracle, as occurring
at the house of the Magus. " Legenda
Sanctorum Anglise, ScotijB et Hibernice,"
Vita S. Brigidse, sec. 2. In the Third Life
of St. Brigid, the account given regarding
this miracle is substantially as follows.
After stating some circumstances, that took
place after our Saint had been sent back to
her father, we are told, that she again re-
turned to visit her mother, who remained
with her master, the Magus ;' although she
lived in a separate house, from that in which
he dwelt. The Saint's mother had the
charge of twelve cows ; the butter produced
from which, she was obliged to collect.
But, when St. Brigid arrived on this visit to
her mother, the virgin was accustomed to
distribute butter each day to the poor and
to the guests ; in doing which, she divided
it into twelve parts, in honour of the twelve
Apostles. She made one portion greater
than the remaining parts, in honour of our
Saviour, while remarking, she saw the per-
son of Christ in that of every guest. One
day, the Magus and his wife brought a large
measure to her, that it might be hlled with
butter. On seeing this vessel, the ready
flush of her checks betrayed a certain dis-
turbance of her mind ; for she had only the
butter of one day and a half day then col-
lected. Visitors having entered the house,
the virgin joyously began to exercise claims
of hospitality towards them, and to prepare
for their refection. She then retired to a
private part of this house, where she poured
forth her prayers to God. Afterwards, she
produced the small quantity of butter then
in her possession. But, the wife of the
Magus, on seeing it, contemptuously taunted
her on its smallness. The Saint replied,
however, that there should be suflficient to
fill a large vessel. Through the interposi-
tion of Divine Providence, her prediction
was fulfilled. When the Magus witnessed
this miracle, he told St. Brigid, that the
vessel thus miraculously filled should belong
to her, and likewise those twelve cows given
in charge to her mother. Still the Saint
declined receiving such gifts, asking instead
of them her mother's freedom. The Magus
then said ; " Lo, I offer you your mother's
liberty, as well as the gifts of this butter
and those cows." We are told, that the
Magus then believed and was baptized, and
that St. Brigid, bestowing her gifts on the
poor, returned with her mother towards her
father's home. See Colgan's ' ' Trias Thau-
maturga," Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xv.,
p. 528. Similar circumstances, for the most
part, are mentioned in the Fifth Life of our
Saint, with the usual amplifications. It is
there reported, likewise, that she paid a
visit to her mother, already alluded to, in
company with her nurse and a brother.
See " Quinta Vita S. Brigidoe," cap. xviii.,
xix., XX., xxi., pp. 571, 572, ibid.
'°' These circumstances are alluded to in
the First, Second and Third Lives of the
saint. See Colgan's ' ' Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Prima S. Brigidae, sec. 14, p. 516.
Vita Secunda S. Brigidx, cap. iv., p. 519.
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xiii., p. 528.
In the Fifth Life nearly the same account is
given, with the addition of some immaterial
particulars. See Vita Quinta S. Brigido),
cap. xvii., p. 571, ibid. All accounts agree,
that these occurrences took place at her
father's house.
'°* In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, it is said the guests, who wit-
nessed this miracle, would not eat the food
thus increased, but it was distributed to the
poor and destitute, pp. 9 to 12.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 45
to a vast multitude of persons, Bridget formed one of the number. Then she
is said to have been illustrious for her gifts of prophecy and miracles. The
place, where St. Patrick is said to have preached on this occasion, we find
called, the territory of Lemania. It was a rural district of Tyrone, in the
diocese of Clogher, and commonly called Magh-lemna, otherwise Clossach.
It is said, that St. Patrick stood on a hill, called Finn-abhuir. We are told,
likewise, that the Irish Apostle preached here with great fervour for a dura- .
tion of three days and three nights, while the people were so enraptured \
with his discourse, they did not think a single day had elapsed, pending this \
long interval. '°3 While listening to him, she was transported into such an \ V.
ecstacy, that the people thought she had fallen asleep. During this time, \ ■T
Brigid had a vision, regarding that present, and a future state of the Irish \
Church. Then on awaking, St. Patrick desired her to relate what she had \
seen. She told him, at first, that she had seen a herd of white oxen amid
white crops ; then, she beheld spotted animals of different colours ; and
after these appeared black and darkly-coloured cattle. Afterwards sheep
and swine were seen ; lastly dogs and wolves worrying each other. ^°+ Yet
while Brigid seemed to sleep, St. Patrick would not allow the congregation
to awaken her, until she came to a state of consciousness of her own accord.
The Irish Apostle afterwards told the people, that her vision referred to that
present and to a future state of the Church in Ireland. ^°s
In his Fourth^°'^ and Sixth^°7 Lives, it is related, that St. Brigid wove a
shroud to cover the remains of St. Patrick, after his death. Dr. Lanigan
calculates, that the Irish Apostle did not live nearly so late as a.d. 493,^°^
when St. Brigid's reputation was spread far and wide.^°9 At the time of his
decease, the holy virgin is thought to have been a mere child. Besides the
earlier writers of St. Patrick's Acts have no mention of St. Brigid having
woven the shroud. With special minuteness, Fiach's hymn, the Scholiast,
Probus, the Tripartite, and the third Life give an account of the last days of
St. Patrick, his death and obsequies. They specify the name of that bishop
who attended him, although otherwise he was scarcely known. Strange,
indeed, would be their omitting to mention so celebrated a saint as Brigid
had she attended with the shroud at his exit. If those circumstances,
reported by later writers concerning her transactions with St. Patrick, had
really occurred, it is impossible they could have been overlooked by those
authors, who lived nearer to their occurrence. Perhaps Brigid wove a pall or
some sepulchral ornament to be spread over his grave, and hence might have
arisen the idea, that she had done so during his lifetime."^ Such a circum-
stance might easily give origin to the rumour of her having assisted at St.
Patrick's obsequies. People about Dundalk, however, have a tradition, that
'°3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," chap, iii., p. 31.
Jocelyn's or Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. *°9 In her exertions for forming congrega*
Xciv., xcv., pp. 86, 87. tions of holy virgins and establishments for
^°'* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," them — which coincided so well with the
Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. iii., cap. iv., views of our Apostle — she would and should
pp. 149, 150, and n. 11, p. 184. have acted under his guidance, were he
'°s See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an alive. Accordingly there must have been
Irish Priest, chap, iii., pp. 31 to 33. frequent communications between them,
'"* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," concerning which the ancient writers could
Quarta Vita S. Patricii, xciii., p. 47. not have been totally silent. See " Eccle-
^°7 StQ Ibid. Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. siastical History of Ireland," vol. i., chap*
clxxxviii., clxxxix., p. 107. viii.j sec. ii*, n. 29, pp. 384, 385.
108 jn "The Life of St.- Brigid," by an "° See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
Irish Priest, the author seems inclined to History of Ireland," vol* i., cap. viii., sec,
adopt this date for St. Patrick's death. See ii., n. 29, p. 384.
46 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
St. Brigid lived in the year 432, when St. Patrick first preached in Ireland,
and that she survived him thirty years."' As St. Brigid approached the
years of puberty, her parents thought of procuring her a partner for life; and
they wished to espouse her to a husband of their own selection. But, this
holy virgin had long before resolved, on consecrating herself to the service
of God, to whom she had already devoted herself, by those chaste disposi-
tions of soul, and by those ardent inspirations of piety, which so much
distinguished her childhood. To her declarations thus made, it would appear,
that her parents interposed no serious objections. She was in the bloom of
maidenhood, when she resolved on entering the religious state. An opinion
has been advanced, that she was only fourteen years of age, at the time of
making her vows ;"^ but one better weighed may be more deserving our
regard, that she was not a consecrated virgin, during the life-time of St.
Patrick, and that she must at least have attained the sixteenth year of her
age, to have been canonically eligible for this state. "3
Before we arrive at this event in her life, there are other circumstances
mentioned, regarding the holy virgin, in what are considered to be among
the most questionable of her recorded acts. It may not be irrelevant, how-
ever, to introduce them. While at her father's house, and before she returned
to see her captive mother, it is related, that a certain religious widow,"'^ who
lived in an adjoining village, asked our Saint's father to allow her Brigid's
companionship to a Synod,"5 then held in the plain of the Liffy.""^ To this
request her father assented ; and while both proceeded on their way, a cer-
tain holy man,"7 who was present at the Synod,"^ slept. He had a vision,
at the same time. On awaking from sleep, he said ; " I have beheld Mary,
and a certain man standing with her, who said to me, * This is holy Mary,
who dwells amongst you.' ""9 When the venerable man had mentioned this in
the Synod, St. Brigid and her companion arrived. Then the same holy man
cried out ; " This is the Mary, whom I have seen, for I know with certainty
her appearance." All, who were present, rendered their acknowledgment
to St. Brigid, "° beholding in her a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary."'
XII
See " Louth Letters containing Infor- "^ In an Irish Life, it is called a Synod
mation relative to the Antiquities of the of the Leinster Seniors.
County, collected during the Progress of the "» See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i., p. Irish Priest, chap, ii., p. 16.
287. Letter of Messrs. P. O'Keefe and T. "° This is somewhat differently related in
O'Conor, dated Dundalk, February iSth, an Irish Life of St. Brigid, cap. xii., as
1836. quoted by Colgan. See "Trias Thauma-
*" Such is Ussher's statement, founded on turga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Bri-
the questionable authority of Hector Boece. gidae, cap. xii., p. 622.
"3 This is Dr. Lanigan's conclusion. '" See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
** The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xiv., p. 528.
Priest, states, that about her sixteenth or In n. 9, p. 543, ibid, with the usual typo-
seventeenth year was that of her profession, graphical errors of his works, we are referred
the date being «mV<?r 469. See chap, iii., by Colgan to the sixteenth chapter of St.
p. 28. Brigid's Irish Life, where the holy man
"* In an Irish Life of St. Brigid, this alluded to is St. Iber, bishop ; and for the
woman is called a Virgin. In Professor eulogy pronounced on her, whereby she re-
O'Looney's Irish Life she is simply desig- ceives as a title "the other Mary of the
nated "a religious woman," pp. ii, 12. Irish," we are to examine, not the Third,
"5 An Irish Life, quoted by Colgan, but the Twelfth chapter, in his Fourth
states, at cap. xii., that this Synod was held Appendix to our Saint's Acts. There we
at the spot, afterwards known as Kildare. have a different version of the story, related
"^ Called Magh Liphe in Professor in the text, and regarding the consideration
O'Looney's Irish Life, pp. 11, 12. in which our Saint had been held by the
"7 The Irish Life calls him Hibar or Ibar. ancient Irish, These called her another
In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life his name Mother of God, or another Mary,
is written ibAip, pp. 1 1, 12.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 47
Thenceforth, this holy virgin was called " the Mary of the Gaedhels.""" The
learned Dr. Todd observes, commenting on this title : Here when it is said
that Brigid was " in the type of Mary," the meaning, perhaps, may be, that
she resembled in form and figure the person of the Blessed Virgin ; not that
she was actually the Blessed Virgin, reappearing upon earth, but that, from
the close resemblance of her features to those of Mary, and from her having
been seen in the vision as Mary, and called by the Angel as " Holy Mary,
that dwells amongst you," she was saluted by the assembled Synod as Mary,
and was thenceforth regarded as " the Mary of the Irish/'"3 Other pane-
gyrists call St. Brigid, the " Mother of Christ," " The Mother of my Lord," &c.,
thus bestowing upon her attributes, belonging especially to the Blessed Virgin
Mary."* St. Columkille, it is stated, composed a certain Hymn in praise
of St. Brigid. "5 This was a short metrical Irish composition, which has
been rendered in a Latin version by Colgan,"^ and there St. Brigid is called
"The Mother of Christ.""^ In the panegyrical poem of St. Brogan Cloen,"^
which Colgan has printed, the same exalted praise is bestowed upon St.
Brigid. Dr. Todd takes quotations from the original Irish, as Colgan's
printed text is full of typographical errors. Omitting the Irish extracts,
these following passages are submitted :"9
" Brigit, mother of my Lord,
Of heaven, a sovereign the best bom."
On these passages, the learned commentator remarks, that Brigid is strangely
spoken of, not as resembling the Virgin Mary in feature, or even in purity
and sanctity, but as partaking wiih her, in some mystical sense, of the prero-
gative of being Mother of Jesus, " Mother of my Lord of heaven." Never-
theless, it is certain, that the idea of a reappearance of Mary, in the person
of St. Brigid, which should make them one and the same person, was not in
the minds of those writers, notwithstanding the extravagance of their lan-
guage. ^3° Yet, it is clear, that Mary and Brigid are spoken of as two distinct
**' According to Professor O'Looney's have been the author. The SchoHast also
Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 1 1, 12. adds, " or it was Ultan of Ardbreecan who
^"3 Seethe "Liber Hymnorum," Fasciculus made this Hymn."
I. Edited with notes, by Dr. James Hen- "^ In one of these lines, St. Brigid is
thorn Todd. Note B, pp. 65, 66, and nn. alluded to thus —
(f.g.) ibid. There we find a like account, " Haec Christi mater."
under the heading, ** St. Brigid, the Mary "7 There is still some undefined beUef —
of the Irish." notwithstanding the chronological discre-
"'^ In the Third Life the language is : pancy — among the Irish people, that St.
"Hsec est Maria (without the explanatory Brigid was a sister of our Blessed Lady. A
altera) quae habitat inter vos ;" and these legend prevails, that St. Brigid advanced
are there given, as the words, not of the before the Mother of our Lord to the tem-
saint who saw the vision, but of the Angel pie, and by an ostentatious exhibition, or
seen in the vision, who stood with the Vir- "praisga," of herself, carrying lighted can-
gin Mary, and said, not of St. Brigid, but dies on her head, she wished to divert at-
of the B. V. Mary herself, " Hsec est Maria tention from the modest Mother- Virgin,
quse habitat inter vos," thus strangely con- Although the day was stormy, none of the
founding the person of Mary and Brigid. candles were extinguished. Hence, our
It will be observed, however, that this ex- Blessed Lady enjoined St. Brigid's feast to
travagance is avoided in the Office printed be celebrated before that of the Purification,
in 1622. See " Liber Hymnorum," Note This account was furnished to the writer by
B, n, (n.), pp. 68, 69. Rev. David B. Mulcahy, C.C., Loughguile,
"5 A portion of the original Irish of this Co. Antrim, in a letter, dated April 26th,
Hymn, with an English translation, is given 1875.
by Dr. Todd, in the work already quoted : ^^^ His composition is also foimd in the
and it is taken from the MS. "Liber "Liber Hymnorum," p. 33.
Hymnorum," p. 32. In the preface, it is "' As translated by Dr. Todd,
said, that St. Columkille is supposed to *3o gt. Brogan Cloen afterwards says —
4S
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
beings, and the notion of reappearance of the former in the person of the
latter is exckided.'^i Our Lord has said, that whosoever shall do the will
of God, the same is his brother, and sister and mother,''^'' and this perhaps
may be all that is meant by St. Brigid's pledging herself to be the Mother of
Christ, and making herself so by words and deeds. According to another
explanation, she who by continual elevation of mind, and fixed intention,
keeps her thoughts ever upon Christ, may be said to travail with Christ, and
figuratively to be the mother of Christ, and so to be, as it were, another
Mary. ^33 Colgan has interpreted this prerogative of St. Brigid to be "the
Mary of the Irish," because of the honour and veneration our people enter-
tained for her over every other Saint — the Blessed Virgin only excepted —
and because of her having had some similar kind of religious deference in
comparison with the Holy Mother of God. '34
The account of that supposed Synod, at Kildare — but in a somewhat
modified form — is retained in an Office of St. Brigid, which has been printed
in Paris. '35 This Office, containing some minor variations, is also to be
found with full musical notation, in the Antiphonary of Clondalkin, a MS. of
the fourteenth century. '3^ It has also been reprinted by Colgan, and has
•' The veiled Virgin who drives over the
Currech
Is a shield against sharp weapons ;
None was found her equal, except Mary,
Let us put our trust in my strength."
In the last line there is a play upon the
name of St. Brigid, and the Irish word
Btigiy "strength." And again: —
** Every one that hears ; every one that re-
peats [this poem],
The blessing of Brigid be on him ;
The blessing of Brigid and of God
Be upon them that recite it together.
*' There are two Virgins in heaven,
"Who will not give me a forgetful protec-
tion,
Mary and St. Brigid,
Under the protection of them both may
we remain."
*3* To passages taken from this Irish
Hymn of St. Brogan Cloen, Dr. Todd ap-
pends the following notes. The Currech —
i.e., the Curragh of Kildare. The Scholiast
in a gloss on this word says, " cup|\ech a
cursu equorum dictus est j" a curious proof
of the antiquity of its use as a race-course :
to which, perhaps, some allusion may be
intended in the description of St. Brigid, as
"the Nun (or veiled Virgin) who drives
oyer the Currech." And again : Two Vir-
gins.— The word cAiLlech, here used, sig-
nifies a veiled or consecrated virgin, a nun,
derived probably from the Latin cucullus.''^
The learned editor of the "Liber Hymno-
rum" thus continues his remarks: "The
words of the supposed stanza of the Hymn
in the text (taking the corrected reading of
autumata for aut amata) are also remark-
able : Christi matretn se spopondit ; ' She
promised or pledged herself to be Christ's
mother,' and made herself so by words or
deeds, Brigid, who is esteemed the Queen
of the true God." The Hymn itself, how-
ever (v. 8), is content with the statement
that she was a virgin like to Holy Mary,
" Marise SanctK similem."
^32 St. Matt. xii. 50.
^33 This seems to be the idea, presented
to the mind of the author, supposed to have
been St. Ultan : "Christi matrem se spo-
pondit, dictis atque factis fecit."
^34 Dr. Todd here remarks : * * This is
certainly softening the matter as much as
possible, seeing that the ancient authorities
place her on an equality with the Blessed
Virgin, giving to her also the seemingly in-
communicable title of Dei Genetrix, and the
still more unusual one of ' Queen of the true
God.' And, moreover, they state expressly
that she was called the Mary of the Irish,
and was recognised as such by an assembled
Synod, in consequence of her personal
resemblance to the B. Virgin Mary, whilst
still a child, and therefore before she was
known to the Irish people, or could have
received any honour or veneration from
them." We are then referred by Dr. Todd
to some learned and curious remarks on this
subject in Mr. Herbert's Cyclops Christianus,
p. 113, seq,, p. 137, p. 141-2. See the
" Liber Hymnorum," Note B, pp. 65 to 68,
and nn. (f,g,h,i,j,k,l,) ibid. Also Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Secunda
ad Acta S. Brigidoe, sec. xxiii., p. 606, and
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidse, cap.
xii., p. 622, ibid.
'35 A. D. 1622. Noct. ii., Lect. v., Colgan's
" Trias Thaumaturga," p. 600.
'36 This latter is preserved in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin. It is classed in
a Catalogue of "MSS. there preserved, B,
L3.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 49
been republished by him, in common with various lessons and prayers,
relating to our Saint, as found in other Breviaries. '37 In the same Office,
there is a Hymn at Lauds, the two first stanzas of which evidently paraphrase
the verses commencing with " Christus in nostra insula. "'38 The Irish Life
of Brigid'39 relates, that after returning from the Synod, she went to visit her
mother who was in bondage.
Some great characteristics of our holy virgin are thus alluded to in an
ancient biography. " It was her anxious care to comfort the poor, to banish
all distress, to relieve all wretchedness : there was no one more modest, more
righteous, more humble, or more chaste ; she never looked in the face of
man \ she was abstinent, she was spotless, she was prayerful, she was patient,
she was joyful in the commandments of God. She was a consecrated shrine
to receive the Body and Blood of Christ : she was the temple of God : her
heart and her mind were an abiding throne for the Holy Ghost. She was
bright in miracles ; her type among creatures is the dove among birds, the
vine among trees, the sun amidst the stars. It is she that reHeves all who
are in distress and danger ; it is she that subdues disease. It is she that
restrains the angry fury of the sea. She is the Mary of Ireland.^'^o This is
not the sole highly-coloured panegyric found in our ancient literature. A
very old book of vellum, in which is found the Martyrology of Maelruain of
Tallagh, and also the saints bearing the same name,'^^ with the names of
many mothers of the saints, states, that Brighit was following the manners
and the life, which the holy Mary, Mother of Jesus, had practised. '^^ Such
was her aptitude for devotional feeling, that she possessed every virtue which
could adorn a child of Mary, or which could endear her to those who were
around her. '43
CHAPTER III.
STATEMENT REGARDING ST. BRIGID's PARENTS—HER PERSONAL AND MENTAL ATTRAC-
TIONS DURING HER EARLY YOUTH — ALLEGED TREATMENT BY HER PARENTS — HER
GREAT CHARITY TOWARDS THE POOR — BROUGHT BEFORE DUNLAING, KING OF
LEINSTER — HIS ADMIRATION OF HER VIRTUES — HER RESOLUTION TO EMBRACE A
RELIGIOUS LIFE— A SUITOR PROPOSES MARRIAGE WITH ASSENT OF HER FAMILY —
SHE REJECTS THIS OFFER— HER RELIGIOUS PROFESSION, AND OPINIONS ADVANCED
RELATIVE TO IT — PROBABLE TIME AND PLACE — ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. BRIGID's
FIRST RELIGIOUS HOUSE— SHE SELECTS THE BEATITUDE OF MERCY FOR HER SPECIAL
PRACTICE— HER MIRACLES.
A SINGULAR Statement has been made,^ that the parents of Brigid ruled over
'37 See " Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix Qui per beatam Brigidam
Prima ad Acta S. Brigidse, pp. 599 to 602. Decoravit Hiberniam,
In this Office, the following is a portion of Vitam dans ejus lucidam.
the Fifth Lesson : " Religiosa qusedam fae-
mina postulavit a patre suo, ut S. Brigidce " Haec speculum munditise,
secum exiret ad synodum quae collecta erat Quae mundo late clamit,
in Carnpo Liffaei, et a pater permittitur. Hsec rosa temperantise
Tunc vir quidem sanctus in synodo dormiens Cujus virtus non languit."
vidit visionem et surgens ait. Haec altera '39 professor O'Looney's Copy, pp. ii, 12.
Maria, quae habitat inter nos. Respons. ^■♦o prom "Life of St. Brigid," in the
Virgo deportatur, honor ei amplius cumula- " Leabhar Breac," and " Book of Lismore."
tur : Synodus instabat, nova Brigida Stella '^i By some called Homonymi.
micabat. Sacra cohors plaudit, quia signum ^^^a See "The Martyrology of Donegal,"
caelitus audit. Vers. Presbyter banc aliam edited by Rev. Dr. Todd and Rev. Dr.
denunciat esse Mariam. Sacra cohors Reeves, pp. 34, 35.
plaudit."— /fo'^/, p. 600. M3 See " The Life of St. Brigid," by an
'38 These stanzas are as follows :— Irish Priest, chap, i., p. 13.
" Christo canamus gloriam. Chapter hi. — ' By Camerarius.
Vol. II. E
50 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the Orkney islands,^ and had their residence in the province Cathensia3 in
Scotia. Under King Congall/ they helped to prevent Hengist and the
Saxonss taking possession of those islands, according to the same ill-instructed
ecclesiastical historian.^ Several particulars, regarding our Saint's early
youth, are supplied by Laurence of Durham, but, these are wanting in her
other Acts. It is not easy to pronounce, whether some of those accounts
are furnished by his own fertile imagination, or from authors, who ^vrote
before his time. In various instances, however, they present a pleasing
picture of virtues, that early adorned our Saint. We are told, as Brigid
grew in age, she increased also in grace. Her natural endowments were
likewise remarkable. She received an excellent education. To her, the
Almighty granted personal gifts, which to others are often the occasion of
danger, in a spiritual sense. Whilst a mere child, her countenance was
radiant with smiles, but her looks were truly angelic. These even betokened
her future exalted sanctity. Her figure was moulded with a peculiar grace-
fulness, while her natural intelligence caused the pagan master of her mother
— for we are still left in the mirage of legend — to furnish his bond-woman's
daughter opportunities for acquiring some special culture. Each day added
effulgence of beauty to Brigid's mental faculties, and to her natural bodily
endowments ; while, owing to her individual merits, a blessing seemed to fall
on the Magus himself, who began to grow rich in possession of this world's
goods. From the very period of our Saint's infancy, it was surprising to find,
that she exhibited little youthful levity. Her thoughts and actions were
characterized by sound discretion, and while her lovely features beamed
with a matronly reserve, she abhorred the follies of old dotards, as much as
she did the amusements of young persons. All admired her justly-regulated
mind, her propriety of speech, her dislike of merely terrestrial and transitory
things, and her perseverance in holy practices. Worldly-minded men
■wondered, that she avoided all companionship with them, and women of light
character could not but feel mortified, when the holy virgin regarded them
with horror ; while those pious females, who devoted themselves sincerely to
God's service, felt rejoiced, when our Saint sought their company and con-
^ These are twenty-eight in number, and Dr. J. F. S. Gordon, we find no such name,
they lie directly north from Caithness. See " Scotichronicon," vol. i., pp. 5, 6.
They are partly in the Northern and partly s Plengist invaded Britain in 449. See
in the German Ocean. In the old Pictish Dr. Lingard's " History of England," vol.
language, they are said to have been i., chap, ii., p. 63. This happened, while
called Ar Cath, or the Tail of Caithness. Eugene or Evan, the forty- first Scottish
Hence, classic writers have their denomina- king, was on the throne. He died A.D. 452.
tion, Orcades. These are divided into the See Buchannan's "Rerum Scoticarum His-
North and South groups of Islands. Some toria," lib. v., pp. 125 to 131. The Picts
of these are called Skirrachs — corresponding and Scots had made so many inroads on the
with the Irish word Skerries — which are more southern Britons, after the Romans
chiefly barren rocks, often covered by the abandoned Britain, that King Vortigern in-
salt-water. Others, which abound in pas- vited the Saxons, under Hengist and Horsa,
turage, are designated Holms. to make head against their enemies. This
3 Now Caithness, a district in the extreme success, however, resulted in the final sub-
north-east of the mainland of Scotland. See jugation of the ancient Britons to the Saxon
an interesting account of it in Fullarton's power, yet not without a prolonged and
"Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland," vol. i., vigorous resistance. In some parts of Wales
pp. 218 to 222. and Scotland, notwithstanding, the Britons
^ King Congall I., who was the forty- seem to have held not inconsiderable terri-
fourth monarch of Scotland, according to lories. See Rev. Thomas Innes' "Civil
Buchanan, succeeded Constantine I. After and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland."
a reign of twenty-two years. King Congall I. Book i., sees. XLix. to Liii., pp. 88 to 95.
died A.D, 501. See "Renim Scoticarum ^ See "De Statu Hominis vetcris simul
Historia," lib. v., pp. 133 fo 135. In the ac novae Ecclesize, et Sanctis Regni Scotice,"
list of Pictish Kings, as furnished by Rev, lib. i,, cap. iii., sec, ii., p. 141.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 51
versation. This most amiable child, from her earliest years, began to
understand, that modesty should be the companion and guardian of all her
other virtues ; while, her most earnest desires were directed to cultivate this
lily of female perfection. In her angelic countenance, in her words and her
motions, in her gait, gestures, dress and actions, she exhibited that greatest
adornment of her sex ; but, those exterior appearances were supplied from
the deep springs of her stainless soul, which would not admit there a single
trace of impurity to leave any impress. She conceived herself, as bound to
remove from the gaze of men, whatever might be calculated to afford them
occasion for sin ; and she knew, that the Almighty diligently searches the
secrets of hearts, to judge how far the roots of evil passion make progress.
A virgin, not alone in name, but in truth, Brigid left nothing undone to
increase her merits in God's sight, while she desired nothing, which a true
Christian should avoid procuring.
All these virtues, however, did not screen our Saint from the envy and
persecution of her father's wife — thus runs the fable — when, with her nurse,
she had been sent to her first home by the Magus. It usually happens,
either through himself or through his instruments, the Devil pursues with
malignity those most loved by God, and principally, with a view to pervert
their understanding. Hence, our Saint's step-mother was accustomed to
find fault with everything said or done by this unoffending child. Often
were injurious words and even cruel stripes inflicted on the innocent creature.
Not content with such a tyrannical course of conduct, by her incessant and
secret denunciation, that wicked woman excited the Saint's father to adopt a
like treatment towards a daughter he had heretofore so much loved. Thus,
instead of finding a natural protector in the person of her parent, Brigid
found a tyrant : from being much attached to his daughter, her father became
a persecutor ; his love was changed to dislike, and his kindness into the
grossest injustice. However, his wife could not urge him to sell his daugh-
ter, as a slave ; yet, she endeavoured to render the girl's position almost as
intolerable, by directing her to engage in most servile and laborious offices.
It is said, that moved by his wife's persuasions, her father imposed an obli-
gation of tending swine upon his young daughter. 7 Without a murmur, she
accepted such a humiliating employment, to become reconciled under those
injuries inflicted by her father, and partially to escape from the malevolent
attempts of her step-mother. The young maid frequently meditated on
Christ's passion, and thence derived most salutary thoughts. She consi-
dered, that the sufferings of this life are not worthy of being compared to the
glories of that kingdom, which Christ shall reveal to His perfect ones. So,
spending much time out-of-doors, while engaged at an humble employment,
she did not neglect her duties to God. When at home, she was either
occupied in prayer, or in relieving the wants of the poor.^ During a time
thus spent, it chanced that her herd of swine dispersed while grazing, so that
some escaped the supervision of their young guardian. At this moment, two
thieves who were passing observed the opportunity afforded them to make a
seizure. Accordingly, these men drove away two of the swine as a prey.
But, it so happened, that Dubthach was distantly seen by the robbers ap-
proaching them ; whereupon, fearing merited punishment, they betook them-
selves to flight. On coming to that spot, where his swine had been aban-
doned, the master soon discovered, that these were a portion of his herd.
7 See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish the Saints," vol. ii., p-ebruary I, p. i6.
Priest, cbap. ii., p. 15. Likewise, Mrs. Anastasia O'Bynie's " Saints
®See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of of Ireland," part ii., p. 14.
52 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Having concealed them for a moment, he proceeded to the place where his
daughter was. Meantime, at first concealing his anger, under an affected
hilarity and in words calmly expressed, soon he changed this assumed coun-
tenance and tone, by asking his daughter, if she could account for the entire
number of swine entrusted to her care, without the loss of a single animal.
The holy maiden, having full faith in Almighty power, entreated her father
to examine and see if he had the full number. Carefully counting the herd,
\J)ubtacJi found inckided those swine he had concealed. Astonished at such
a^4£sult, tfie cHieftain then returned to his home.9
Our pious nlaid bore her trials with patience and constancy ; while
humility induced her on all occasions to refer her meritorious actions entirely
to God, as she knew that all human virtues have their origin in the bestowal
of Divine Grace. And, as she had not received these heavenly gifts in vain,
Brigid zealously co-operated with them. She advanced each day towards
the highest degree of perfection. The more humility endeared her to the
Almighty, the more was His glory manifested through her, in the miracles
which were wrought. Brigid's virtues are greatly extolled by her pane-
gyrists. ^° All these good dispositions, however, were not a sufficient protec-
tion from her step-mother's enmity. This woman even took occasion to find
fault with the girl's excellent qualities, for she envied that good repute,
which was justly due to our Saint's merits." Such malignity seemed to in-
crease each day, and reproaches were redoubled, when it had been reported
miracles were wrought, on occasion of that theft which had been committed,
and at the time of her nurse's infirmity. Thenceforward, envy began to
assume the characteristics of a fixed hatred. All the efforts of a wicked
woman's malice were directed towards the further persecution of an innocent
child, on whom a variety of laborious occupations were imposed. Not only
was the virgin employed as swine-herd, but she was obliged to bake, to cook,
to weave, to tend sheep and to engage in harvest labours. Still more
humiliating and onerous offices were exacted from her. These must have
been sufficient to break the spirit and constitution of any child, even less
eminently gifted and constituted than our Saint. Yet, Brigid considered no
work more servile, than that of sin ; and, therefore, she patiently commenced,
prudently continued, and admirably executed, her various heavy tasks.
The legend proceeds to state, that the hatred and envy of St. Brigid's step-
mother, once aroused, could not easily be dispelled ; and, as the holy virgin's
o^vn mother had become a free woman, efforts were made to reduce her
innocent daughter to a state of servitude. As some plausible pretext was
even wanting for this purpose, after an anxious scrutiny into the maiden's
life, no single word or action of her step-daughter being open to reproach,
resort was had to calumnies and intrigue." The whole tenor of this sweet
child's life was one of blameless virtue ; yet, it was sought to give a false
colouring to her good actions, and to represent them as worthy of blame and
punishment. It was said, although possessing no property of her own, that
Brigid notwithstanding bestowed large alms on the poor, and hence she must
have stolen, what she did not rightly give away. To her husband, the step-
9 This is more briefly related in Professor been the daughter of a bard and of a beauti-
O'Looney's Irish Life, pp. 9, 10. ful captive, tells us, the latter was chased,
*" These are specially enumerated in the like another Agar, t)y her master, and at the
Hymn of St. Brogan Cloen. vSee Colgan's suggestion of his wife. See "Les Moines
••Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Prima S. Bri- d'Occident," tome ii., liv. ix., chap, i., p.
gidsE, sees, 3, 4, 11, 12, p. 515. 462.
"The Count de Montalembert, whose "See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish
fancy leans to the legend of Brigid having Priest, chap, ii., pp. 15, 16.
February t.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 53
mother represented a probability of his house being robbed by his own
daughter, as she abstracted all the value it contained to enrich others, and
this under the guise of piety. Thus, it was urged, while the maiden extended
her bounty towards strangers, her own father was likely to be reduced to
great poverty, unless he took suitable precautions against such a result.
Hence, the step-mother reasoned, that prevention being better than cure, her
husband should obviate this state of things, as it must prove vain to mend
matters, when he must be in actual need. In order to prevent the absolute
poverty of his family, advice was given to sell his daughter as a slave, and if
he rejected this counsel, it was represented, he must soon experience those
difficulties, attendant on a complete loss of property. By these and similar
arguments, the insidious woman wrought on her husband's mind, and in a
short time, effecting the estrangement of his affections from the holy maiden,
she excited prejudices against Brigid. As it formerly happened, when the
enemies of Daniel the Prophet represented him praying to God, in opposition
to the king's edict ;^3 so was it now said, that the Saint gave alms for God's
sake, but at the expense of her father. And, as Daniel had been delivered
to the jaws of lions to be devoured, so was Brigid about to be sold as a slave
to strangers ; yet, since both were found faithful to God, therefore did the
Almighty liberate them from a fate to which they had been respectively
doomed. Brigid's father, however, would only consent to sell his daughter to
a king or chief, as being herself of noble birth. With this view, a chariot was
prepared, which Dubtach drove to the neighbouring castle, where his king,
named Dunlang, then dwelt. "^ When he had arrived at this place, Dubtach
left his daughter in the chariot without, while he entered the castle to pay his
liege respects. After discoursing awhile on state affairs and things of moment,
their conversation was directed to less important topics. Dubtach then
added, that he had with him a virgin, who was to be sold, and that if it
pleased the king to purchase her, there was every reason to believe she
should not occupy the lowest place in his estimation among his other female
servants. In reply to the king's inquiries, Dubtach acknowledged, also, that
she was his own daughter. The king asked his reason for selling her, and
was told, that her parents feared she should make him a poor man, since she
abstracted all his worldly substance to bestow it on the poor.^s Thereupon,
those who attended the king said : " The good report of this your daughter
has reached all parts of Ireland, and raised her immeasurably in our estima-
tion ; and, it is very strange, that you her father should accuse her of being
guilty, when all strangers concur in praising her." Whereupon, the king
commanded her to be brought into his presence. We are told again, while
Brigid's father delayed within his dynast's castle, a poor man came to ask
alms from the daughter, when she presented him with her parent's sword. ^^
Her father afterwards introduced Brigid to the king, but, on learning what
she had done, Dubtach felt greatly concerned at the loss of his sword. This
was one of great value, and the more prized, as it had been a present from
the King of Leinster, whom he then visited. Dubtach ordered the mendicant
to be followed, that his sword might be recovered. Then conducting his
daughter to the king, the chief angrily complained about the loss he had
^3 Daniel vi. character of this whole narrative preceding ;
^4 In a note, we are told by Colgan, that for, our Saint is there represented as con-
the king, whom her father visited, was founding ideas of charitable actions in prac-
Dunlang, King of Leinster, as appears from tice with actual sins of injustice, not credit-
an Irisli Life of St. Brigid, cap. xiv. See able to her moral or religious perceptive
"Trias Thaumaturga, " n. lo, p. 543. faculties. These are not the sole objections
^5 See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's " Lives of that may be taken, against such an incon-
the Saints," vol. ii., February i, p. 16. gruous and incredible story, imder all its
'^ We can easily arrive at the legendary laboured and inventive characteristics.
54 LIVES OF 2 HE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
sustained through her. Looking upon the young maid, the king greatly
admired her candour and gravity of countenance, her habit and deportment,
before asking why she gave that sword to a beggar, which he had presented
to her father. Our Saint answered, " Do not wonder that I have bestowed
what was in my keeping on the poor, since, were it in my power to do so, I
should give all possessed by you, O king, and by my father, to them ; for,
the Almighty will confer eternal rewards on those, who for His sake give
temporal riches."'7 Then turning to Dubtach, the king exclaimed : " This
virgin is too holy and .exalted to be either bought or sold, and I have not
even means for purchasing her, because she is more precious than any amount
of silver or gold.^^ As for that good sword which she gave to the poor man,
I shall present you with one equally valuable ; and, if you abide by my
advice, you will allow her to follow the bent of her own inclinations/'^^
Approving this advice, and being honoured with gifts, Dubtach returned
home with his daughter, whose freedom was thus assured.^°
In continuation of this same narrative, it is stated, that having thus ob-
tained her freedom, the virgin of Christ could conceive no state of servitude
worse than to abuse her liberty. Wherefore, her human was exchanged for
a Divine service. She consecrated herself by vow to Jesus, the Spouse of
Virgins,^^ and being now more at leisure to indulge the bent of her inclina-
tions, she considered all former religious exercises of too little value in the sight
of God. She macerated her body with increased vigils and fasting. Her
mind began to soar with greater ease and fervour to pious contemplation
and Divine love. She imitated the industry of the bee, which, wandering
through pleasant gardens, collects their sweet juices from various flowers, in
order to produce a still more luscious essence, in the loaded hive. The
holy girl is said to have visited the houses of pious virgins, and to have culled
admirable practices of virtue from the conduct of each, with a view of adapt-
ing them to her own spiritual improvement. Such was her charity, and
indefatigable zeal in visiting the sick, that whenever she heard about any of
those holy women being confined to a bed of illness, Brigid immediately
hastened to afford consolation to the invalid. Nor did she leave the patient,
until this latter had either been restored to health, or had terminated a mor-
tal career.
In various accounts, it is related, that Brigid had been sought in marriage
from her parents.^^ Her great wisdom, not less than her personal attrac-
tions, caused a general admiration. "^3 A bard suitor, called Dubthach, the
son of Luguir, is said to have proposed for her in marriage. This man had
been very celebrated for his learning^-* and innocence of life.^s He was
^^ This anecdote is related in L. Tachet ^^ See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's *' Lives of
de Barneval's "Historic Legendaire de 1' the Saints," vol. ii., February I, p. i6.
Irlande," chap, viii. The writer adds, that " See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish
as St. Patrick represented Christian and Priest, chap, ii., pp. 23, 24.
apostolic perfection, St. Brigid personified =3 See Le Comte de Montalembert's "Les
mercy and charity. See p. 75. Moines d'Occident," tome ii., liv. ix.,
'^ The foregoing narrative is found related chap. i. , p. 462.
in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, where =♦ He is generally known as one of Ire-
Dunlaing is called the son of Enna. See land's chief poets, in the fifth century.
pp. 1$, 16. Some of the Poems, attributed to him, have
*9 See " Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish been published in the Rev. John Shearman's
Priest, chap, ii., pp. 21 to 23. " Loca Patriciana," No. vi. "Journal of
"° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " the Royal Historical and Archaiological
Quinta Vita S. Brigidae, cap. ix., xii., xiv., Association of Ireland," vol. iii. Fourth
XV., xvi.,xvii., xxii., xxiii., xxiv., pp. 569 Series, No. 19, July, 1874, pp. 183 to 196.
to S73-. Some of those circumstances are =s Such account is contained in the Irish
also briefly related in the Third lAie.—Ibid. Life of St. Brigid, chapter xv., as quoted by
Vita Tenia S. Brigidae, cap. xvi., p. 528. Colgan.
I
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
among the foremost of Leogaire's courtiers'*^ to render public honour to St.
Patrick, and to believe in Christ, as may be seen in the Life of our Irish
Apostle. =^7 Various versions of St. Brigid having been sought in marriage
survive in popular belief.'^ An Irish Life of the Virgin simply states, that
her suitor was a man of good family, '9 which indicates — if the narrative be
accepted — that her own birth was respectable, both on her father's and
mother's side. This proposal is stated to have been acceptable both to
Dubtach and to his sons.3°
On a certain day, while she hastened on some errand of mercy, we are
informed, that Brigid met her brothers on the way. These were four in
number. One of them, named Baithen, seems to have inherited the perse-
cuting disposition of his mother, and he is said to have addressed the others
in these terms : " I know not what sort of superstitious vanity urges our
sister to travel from place to place ; she avoids all familiarity with men,
moreover, obstinately living and seeming disposed to persevere in a state of
life repugnant to natural feeHng. She will not gratify father or brothers with
any hope of her bearing children ; but, preferring her own will to that of the
Almighty, and her own laws to those of nature, she loves a state of virginity,
with our family dishonour and privation, to the more honourable condition
of becoming mother over a numerous offspring. But, my brothers, let us
put an end to this egregious folly, and consulting our family interests, we
must overcome her designs, seeking for some noble, as a suitable husband
for her. This, I have no doubt, can easily be accomplished. Thus, shall
he become the son-in-law of our father, as also a friend and an ally to our-
selves." But, the other young men interposed on her behalf and said : " It
is neither manly nor brotherly to persecute our young sister, especially as
she has made the better choice, while resolving to leave terrestrial for hea-
venly things, and as she hath chosen Christ to be her spouse, rather than
man. Would it not be base for us, and dishonourable as brothers, to divert
our sister from her holy purpose, even if we could effect such an object ?
Should we fail to do so, must it not be equally disgraceful to make an
attempt, over which her constancy must prevail, thus showing that a single
2* Colgan remarks, however, that when tunities of a young marriage suitor, by set-
Brigid had arrived at a marriageable age, ting out one night for Castletown Church,
this Dubthach must have been advanced in which, it is said, was also called Cibb b]\6in.
years. See " Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia She passed by a small river, taking its rise
Vita S. Ihigidae, cap. xvii., and n. ii, pp. at Sliabh Guilenn, and running in a south-
528, 529, 543. east direction, between Faughart Hill and
^7 The Sixth Hexameter Life of our Saint Castletown, falling into the bay of Dundalk.
commences its narrative of the foregoing She knelt by the banks of this stream, and
circumstances with these lines : — escaped her pursuer. At the place, where
this happened, a much frequented station
*' Proximus huic fuerat juvenis, qui jura used to be held, until the landed proprietor
parentum cut down certain bushes by the stream, and
Unica cura fuit ; pulsabat virginis aures altered the whole local appearance. It is
Per se, perque patrem, per fratres atque said, that after this circumstance, St. Brigid
sorores, remained at Gill b|\6iri, while her sister
Munera muneribus promittens addere continued to live at Gill mui^e, or Fough-
plura, art. See '* Louth Letters containing Infor-
Auribus purpureas, argenti pondera, ves- mation relative to the Antiquities of the
tes, County, collected during the Progress of
Divitiasque domus, millenos praedia, the Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i.,
servos." pp. 287, 288.
=9 Such is the account in Professor
^^ Thus, the people about Faughart have O'Looney's MS. Life of St. Brigid, pp. 15,
a tradition, that while St. Brigid and her 1 6.
sister lived in a church at this place, the ^o /(5/^. See, likewise, Bishop Forbes'
holy virgin was obliged to shun the impor- " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 288.
56
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February t.
girl may obtain a victory over four men ? Let our sister serve God in the
way she purposes, and, by our goodness towards her, let us seek her happi-
ness, for if we attempt to disturb it, the guilt will rest on our souls." This
discussion became exceedingly animated as the subject of it approached. A
quarrel seemed likely to ensue, when the holy virgin, who had come up to
them, besought the Almighty most earnestly to restore peace among her
brothers, and to manifest His Providence in her regard.3^ Immediately, as
the legend relates, one of her eyes became distempered, and it disappeared. 3'
So shocking an occurrence, attended with a consequent deformity of features,
which before had been so singularly beautiful, caused that brother, who had
so anxiously sought to engage her in a married state to change his intentions.
Her other brethren, who had contended for our Saint's freedom of choice,
on seeing her beautiful features thus sadly disfigured and injured, felt the
greatest compassion for her. They cried out, that this privation could not
have happened, if she had not been opposed in her desire of leading a single
life.33 They lamented, likewise, no water was near, to wash stains of blood,
which trickled from her face, thus to assuage her pain, if they could not
repair that injury, endured by their beloved sister. 34 But, the Virgin of
Christ, knew that her holy Spouse would be her protector. That she might
not leave her brothers anxious and inconsolable on her account, Brigid de-
sired them to dig the ground where they stood. With full reliance in the
Divine clemency, our Saint offered her prayers to heaven, when He, who
formerly produced water from the desert rock, at the stroke of His prophet,3S
now brought forth a stream from the dry soil, to reward the confidence of
His favoured child. Her three friendly brothers, amazed at this miracle,
and full of fraternal affection towards their sister, at once began to apply
that water to wash her bleeding face, when to their still greater astonishment,
both her eyes seemed perfect, as before the late privation.3^ Full of joy at
this discovery, they gave thanks to God. But, the brother, who inherited
his mother's malignant and intractable nature, made use of reproachful ex-
pressions towards them and towards our Saint. For such reproaches, how-
ever, he was miraculously punished, by the instant loss of one of his eyes.
This chastisement humbled him so much, that henceforward no serious
obstacle was interposed to prevent his sister from following the bent of her
inclinations, and that course of her life, decreed by heaven. 37
The whole course of Brigid's career was destined to be traced out by
signs from heaven. In the most recently written Hves of our saintjS^ we are
3* In Bishop Forbes' ** Kalendars of Scot-
tish Saints," it is stated, St. Brigid asked
the Lord to send her some deformity, so as
to avoid the importunity of her parents.
See p. 288. Also, Supplementum Breviarii
Romani pro Hibernia, Lect iv.
3^ See Rev. S. Baring-Gculd's ** Lives of
the Saints," vol. ii., Febraary i, p. 16.
33 See "Life of St. Bdgid," by an Irish
Priest, chap, ii., pp. 23 to 25.
34 In the life of our Saint, by Cogitosus,
it is merely said, that her parents " more
humano viro desponsare vellent, ilia coelitus
inspirata," &c. — Ibid. " Secunda Vita S.
Brigidae," cap. iii., p. 519. And, in the
succeeding life, it is stated, that a certain
honourable man visited Dubtach, to ask his
daughter in marriage ; but, aUhough his suit
was favoured by her father and brothers, it
would not be entertained by Brigid. When
earnestly pressed to yield on this point, the
Saint prayed the Almighty to inflict on her
some qorporal deformity, which would free
her from man's solicitations. Then one of
her eyes melted in her head. Still the vir-
gin, preferring loss of corporal beauty to that
of her soul's virtue, felt satisfied \\\\\\ this
privation. Her father knowing this permit-
ted her to assume the veil, at which time
her lost eye was restored.
35 See Exodus xvii.
3^ These incidents are somewhat differently
yet more briefly related in Professor O'Loo-
ney's Irish Life, pp. 15 to 18.
37 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Quinta Vita S. Brigidre, cap. xxv., xxvi,,
xxvii., p. 573.
3^ As published by Colgan.
Ferruary I.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57
told, that seven holy virgins39 proposed to themselves a course of spiritual
discipline under St. Brigid's rule, being animated with a like spirit, and wish-
ing to effect their sanctification, through the instrumentality of this pious
lady.4° For, it was now universally acknowledged, that the Holy Spirit
wrought many wonderful works through our saint, and that all her designs
prospered, through Divine inspiration. The illustrious virgin considered and
approved their purposes and wishes. With the greatest readiness and pleasure,
thinking that she could best promote their spiritual interests and her own,
she resolved to take the veil with them, and to lead a life, directed by con-
ventual rule. No sooner had their project been mutually agreed to, than it
was deemed proper to hasten without delay to a certain bishop, named
Maccalle,-*' and by others, Macculleus.'*^' Full of pious fervour, the postu-
lants sought his benediction, and requested through his offices, they might
be consecrated to Christ. But, this bishop,43 not knowing their previous
course of life, and fearing those tender virgins were urged through some im-
pulsive motive, rather than by an inspiration of the Holy Ghost, refused to
comply at once with the prayer of their petition. For he knew, with the
Apostle, that episcopal hands should not be lightly imposed on each person
applying,'»4 nor should it be supposed, that every spirit was from God,45 until
a sufficient probation took place. When St. Brigid found this natural hesita-
tion on the part of the bishop, with a firm trust, she betook herself to the
oft-repeated expedient of prayer. 4^ She besought the Holy Ghost, as she
had been inspired to undertake a course chosen, that she might also have
the consolation to achieve its desired results. The Almighty never fails to
sustain those, who w^orship him in spirit and in truth. That the interior
fervour of this holy virgin might be manifested by exterior signs, while she
and her companions prayed in the church,47 a column of fire shone above
her head, and extended even towards the roof of that sacred edifice, to the
great joy and astonishment of those, who chanced to be present.^^ In ad-
miration at this miracle, the bishop made diligent enquiries about our saint's
39 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life, Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga. " Secunda
the number is not specified, pp. 17, 18. Vita S. Brigidse, cap. iii., p. 519. The
4° A certain writer of our saint's Acts says I'irst and Fifth Life name him Maccaleus.
she had only three companions when pro- See ibid. Vita Prima 8. Brigida;, strophe
fessed. " Et assumptit secum tribus puellis 8, p. 515. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap.
perrexit ad Episcopum Machillan, Sancti xxviii., p. 573.
Patricii discipulum." — Capgrave's "Vita S. ^^ See I Tim. iii.
Brigidae," sec. 4. ■*$ See I Cor. xiv.
4' This seems the more correct form of ^^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, it
title ; as evidenced by the Festilogy of is stated, that St. Brigid, through humility
^ngus, the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of remained last of her companions to receive
Cashel, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Charles the veil from Bishop Mel, until a column of
Maguire, and of Donegal, at the 25th of fire arose from her head towards the church-
April. The same title will be found in St. roof, pp. 17, 18.
Ultan's Life of St. Brigid (cap. 18), and in '*? In one instance, the Third Life states,
all her Irish written acts. she had eight companions, who received the
4^ The Acts of this saint will be found at veil with St. Brigid. There, too, it is
the 25th of April. In the edition of Cogi- written, Avhen she had read prayers and
tosus, by Colgan, the name is written Mac- touched the wooden step of the altar with
chille and in that of Messingham and Cani- her hand, it became, as it were, green wood,
sius, he is called Macca. In the First Life and it continued without decay to the
of our saint, by Brogan Cloen, he is called writer's time. St. Brigid's eye is said to
niACCAiLle. In a MS. of St. Hubert, he is have been healed, when she received the re-
designated, Mackelle, and in one belonging ligious habit. See Colgan's "Trias Thau-
to the Monastery of St. Amand, Maccillc, maturga." Tertia Vita S. Brigidos, cap.
while in Surius, the name is written, Ma- 18, p. 529.
chilhis. 48 See "Life of St. Erigid," by an Irish
-•^ Called Macchille by Cogitosus. See Priest, chap, iii., pp. 25, 26.
58
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February r.
parents and her manner of living, from the time of her infancy. One of his
clerics informed him she was Brigid, the wonder-worker, and a daughter to
Dubtach. Hearing this, the bishop was most anxious to comply with the
desires of our saint, whose good fame seemed to herald her future career of
usefulness in the Church. He placed a veil on the heads of herself and of
her companions,'*^ as he knew heaven had already, in a miraculous manner,
decreed approval of this ministerial agency. It happened, at the same time,
while sacramentary rites of benediction took place, 5° our holy virgin applied
her hand to the wood which sustained the altar, s^ and which appeared quite
dry and seasoned,52 as it had long being stripped of its leaves and bark.ss
It is said, immediately upon being touched by St. Brigid, that it became
virescent.s4 On a subsequent occasion, when the church, where such oc-
currence took place, had been consumed by fire, that particular portion
escaped the flames. ss Thus, as he had formerly wrought great miracles
under the Old dispensation. Almighty God would chose to continue his
works under the New, through all time loving His elect and affording His
protection to them. While the children of Israel journeyed towards the
promised land. He preceded them by a pillar of fire ',^^ and while St. Brigid
directed her course towards the heavenly country of her adoption, by the
column of fire ascending heavenwards. He directed her thoughts from a
teiTene to a celestial ambition. The Third Life relates, three virginss? ac-
companied her, on their visit to Bishops Mel^^ and Melchu. An Irish Life
49 In the Third Life of our saint, it is re-
lated, how she took with her three virgins,
with whom she went to the territory of the
sons of Neill, and to the saints, Bishops
Mel and Melchu. These are stated to have
been disciples of St, Patrick, and to have
had a disciple named Macaille, who said to
Mel: "Lo, the holy virgins are without,
who wish to receive the veil of virginity at
your hands." When he had introduced
them before Bishop Mel, and while the latter
was looking at them, on a sudden, a column
of fire seemed to surmount the head of
Brigid.
5° The Fifth Life of our saint has it, " in-
ter ipsa benedictionum sacramenta," &c.
We are not to understand, that the profes-
sion or clothing of a virgin is to be classed
amongst the sacratfients of the Church, pro-
perly so called ; but, it is assigned to the
jarrflwt'«/fl//a— distinguished from the sa-
cramenta. By sacramentalia are understood
a variety of benedictions and consecrations,
which do not confer sacramental graces,
peculiar to the effective administration of
the seven sacraments. See, in reference to
this distinction, Devoti's "Institutionum
Canonicarum," libri iv., tomus i., lib. ii.,
tit. ii., sec. i., pp. 365, 366. If the word
sacramenta be found in Laurence of Dur-
ham's original MS., it seems to have been
improperly introduced for sacranientalia.
However, such verbal introduction may
have been the error of a copyist.
5' See Camerarius, " De Statu Hominis,
veteris simul ac novse Ecclesise, et Infidelium
Conversione," lib. L, cap. iii., sec. ii., p.
140.
52 See the ''Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, iii., pp. 27, 28.
53 In the following Latin verses, R. P.
Bandinus Gualfredutius, S.J., has recorded
this miracle :
** Arida quod tenero revirescunt robora
tactu,
Inque suo vivit stipite vita redux ;
Virginese memoranda colas miracula dex-
trse ;
Urentes nunquam senserat ilia faces."
— Lib. i., " Sacrorum Mensium," pars. i.
54 Here there is a comparison between the
wood becoming green, to show the purity of
those holy virgins present, and between the
rod of Aaron, putting forth leaves and fruit.
A writer adds : "quia ilia quae per eandem
virgam prsesignabatur, et virgo simul et
mater fuit." See Colgan's "Trias Thau-
maturga." Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap.
xxviii., xxix., pp. 573, 574. Also, ibid,
"Vita Prima S. Brigidae," sees. 8, 9, p.
575' "Vita Secunda S. Brigidae," cap.
iii., p. 519.
55 This is alluded to in our saint's various
offices, and it is generally stated, such a
miracle reconciled her parents to that happy
choice of life she had made. Also, it is re-
lated, in tlie "Chronica Generalis Mundi,"
and by Petrus de Natalibus.
5* See Exodus, xiii., 21, 22.
57 Numerical accounts vary. Colgan ob-
serves, that in the Irish Life of our saint,
cap. xiii., in the Fifth Life, even in this same
Third Life, and in every account of St.
Brigid, seven other virgins are described as
having been veiled with her.
February i.] UVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
59
of St. Brigid states, that she was veiled in the territory of Feratulach ;59 while
Mel and Melchu lived in a town of Medi or Midio.^° Regarding the fore-
going incidents of our saint's life, in rather a different manner, the Sixth or
Hexamater Life of this holy virgin presents us with another narrative.^^
However, notwithstanding apparent inconsistencies, Colgan is of opinion,
that the latter may also be reconciled with former statements ; for, as this
illustrious virgin was to be espoused to Christ, might not St. Patrick have
entrusted the charge of such an office to his disciple and nephew. Bishop
Mel,^^ and might not the latter have deputed it to his disciple St. Maccalleus ?
Thus, to each of them might be attributed a part in the ceremony of veiling,
although it be immediately and properly referable to the ministry of St.
Maccalleus.^3
Some modem Anglo-Scottish writers, taking Hector Boece^-^ as guide,
relate, that our St. Brigid of Kildare was veiled by St. Macchilla, Bishop of
Sodor, in the Isle of Mona,^s or Man, about the year 443. But, the casual
affinity of name seems to have occasioned this error. As already seen, the
bishop who veiled St. Brigid was called Maccalle or Maccalleus ; while, the
Bishop of Sodor — that being the episcopal see of the Isle of Man — is called
Machaldus and Magiul, by Joceline,^^ Mac-fill by Probus,^7 and Mac-Cuill
in an Irish MS. of the Life of St. Patrick.^^ Although both of those persons
alluded to had been bishops and flourished in St. Patrick's time ; it is certain,
that this Maccullius or Macaldus, Bishop of Sodor or Man, was altogether
different from St. Maccalleus,^9 the consecrator of St. Brigid, not only in re-
ference to time, place and acts, but, even as regards the name. Differences
between them in point of time show that they must be distinguished. For
St. Maccalleus,7° the consecrator of St. Brigid, was bishop before he veiled
5^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life,
not only is it stated, that St. Brigid went to
take the veil from Bishop Mel, but it is even
asserted, he bestowed on her the honour of
a bishop, ' ' above all other women, so that
it is the honour of a bishop the men of Erin
give to the successor of St. Brigid ever since,"
pp. 17, 18. Such account indicates great
antiquity for this Irish Life. However, it
must be remarked, that St. Brigid received
confirmation from St. Mel, and hence pro-
bably arose some confusion between his hav-
ing conferred orders and the veil on this
pious virgin, as stated by some old writers.
See " Obits and Martyrology of the Cathe-
dral Church of the Holy Trinity," edited by
John Clarke Crosthwaite and Dr. James
Henthom Todd. Introduction, p. xcviii.,
and n. (y), ibid.
59 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS.
Life it is called Tealach Midhe, pp. 17, 18.
^° By this is probably to be understood,
the district of the Methians in Ultonia. See
" Trias Thaumaturga." Vita Tertia S. Bri-
gidse, cap. xviii., and nn. 12, 13, pp. 529,
543-
^^ The Irish Life of St. Brigid in the
Leabhar Breac likewise renders some por-
tions of it different from that in the Book of
Lismore. In the latter we read from Pro-
fessor O'Looney's English translation : ** On
the eighth hour Brigid was born, and on a
particular Wednesday in the eighteenth
[year of her age] she took the veil, in the
eightieth [year of her age] she went into
heaven. On the eighth, Brigid was conse-
crated under the eight beatitudes [foods] of
the Gospel, which she fulfilled, and the food
of mercy is what Brigid used to call them,"
pp. 17, 18.
^^ See on this subject. Rev. James Hen-
thorn Todd's " St. Patrick, Apostle of Ire-
land." Introductory Dissertation, pp. 11
to 14.
^3 As the native word mac signifies a son,
hence lirechan, who wrote St. Patrick's
Acts a thousand years before Colgan's time,
when speaking of a certain church founded
by the Irish Apostle, in the southern part of
Meath, observes, "in qua S. Brigida pallium
caepit sub manibus filii Caille in Uisnech
Midhe."
^4 See "Historia Scotorum," lib. ix., fol.
158.
^s According to Camerarius, the sepulchre
of the Scottish kings was in the Island of
Mona. See " De Statu Hominis, veteris
simul ac novae Ecclesiae, et Sanctis Regni
Scotise ;" lib. i., cap. iii., sec. ii., p. 141.
^^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cli. p. 98.
^7 See ibid. Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii., cap.
X., p. 53-
^8 Lib. iii., cap. 35.
^9 He was a disciple to St. Mel and to
Melchu, the nephews of St. Patrick.
7° He lived, died and was venerated in a
part of Leinster, called Ifalge, in a place
6o
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
her,7^ and he died in the year 489.7^ But, St. MacCuill or Maccaldus, after-
wards Bishop of Man, it is stated, does not seem to have been baptized,
much less consecrated as bishop, when St. Brigid had been veiled.73 Be-
sides, circumstances of their Hves and deaths, their acts and the places in
which they flourished, evidence their non-identity.
Brogan Cloen states,74 that Maccalleus placed the veil over St. Brigid's
head -p while the Calendar of Cashel and Maguire76 corroborate such an
account. By both the latter, too, are we informed,77 that this holy man had
been venerated at Cruachan Brigh-eile,72 now Croghan Hill, 79 in the former
territory of Hy-Failge or OiTaly.^° In like manner, Tirechan and Cogitosus^'
assert, that the virgin received her religious dress, at the hands of Bishop
Maccalle.^^ To one well versed in the Irish language, it will be found, that
both names, Maccalle and Macald are distinct, although from their ambiguity,
or supposed affinity, they have led Avriters to confound St. Maccalleus with
St. Maccaldus.^3
called Cruachan, as appears from several
Lives of St. Brigid, published by Colgan.
In no writer do we read of his having been
a robber, in any part of Ulster, called Mag-
inis, or that he there exercised his vocation,
after St. Brigid had been veiled and rendered
renowned by her miracles, or after St.
Patrick traversing Munster had returned to
Ulster.
71 While Ussher assigns this veiling to
A.D, 467, Dr. Lanigan thinks it may be ad-
mitted, that she Avas professed in the year
469. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. iii., p. 386.
72 As the ' ' Annals of the Four Masters"
have it from those of Senat-mac-magnus,
of Clonmacnoise, and of the Island.
73 By Ussher, Maccaille has been con-
founded with Maguil or Maccaldus, Bishop
of Man. In this island, it is said, likewise,
our saint was veiled. * See Dr. Lanigan's
*' Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
chap, viii., sec. iii., and nn. 39, 40, pp. 386,
388.
7* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Hymnus, seu Prima Vita S. Brigida;, p. 515.
75 Regarding St. Brigid's virtues and mira-
cles, a short time after this holy virgin's
death, we find the following Latin version
of his Irish Hymn : —
" Posuit avibas Maccalleus velum
Super caput SanctK Brigidaj
Clarus est in ejus gestis ;
In coelo exaudita est ejus petitio
Deum precor in omnibus adversis,
Modis omnibus, quibus valet os meum,
Profundiorem pelago, magnifice prsedi-
cabilem.
Trinum et Unum. Veridica narratio."
^Ibid.
76 Commenting on St. Angus' " Festi-
logy," he calls it "the white veil."
77 At the 28th of April.
78 In a letter, dated Tullamore, January
4th, 1838, John O'Donovan identifies Crua-
chan Bri Eile with the present conspicuous
Hill of Croghan, in the parish of Croghan,
and in the barony of Lower Philipslown.
It lay within the ancient territory of Ofalia.
It rises on the confines of ancient Meath
and Leinster. See "Letters containing
Information relative to the Antiquities of
the King's County, collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837,"
vol. i., pp. 104 to 115.
79 On the very summit of Croghan Hill is
a small moat or sepulchral tu??iulus. This
seems to have been the monument of Congal,
alluded to in the " Laoidh na Leacht," or
Poem of the Monuments.
teAcc ConJAibe,
^o^ "btM Gile i\o yvoencA.
— Ibid., p. no.
^° From the top or moat on Croghan Hill,
the whole level plain or ctiiyv of Ofalia and
its natural boundaries may be seen at aglance.
It stretches, nearly as level as a lake south-
wards, to the foot of the Slieve Bloom Moun-
tains, and to the Sugar Loaf shaped Hills, at
Killone, in the Queen's County, and east-
wards to the Hill of Allen, in Kildare
county. See ibid., p. 112. Dr. O'Donovan
describes the extent of this territory, which
he illustrates with hand-drawn maps from
pp. 24 to 47, ibid.
^' He calls it "a white one." See Col-
gan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Secunda
Vita S. Brigidae," cap. iii., p. 519.
^' We have already seen, that the Irish
Marty rologists name the saint venerated at
the 25th of April Maccaille, i.e., filius Caille.
Colgan remarks, that Alac signifies son, and
Caille is either the proper name of a man,
or if it be appellative, it has the signification
of a veil : so that in Latin, Mac-caille could
be rendered filius veli, he having obtained
such a name perhaps, from the circumstance
of his having veiled St. Brigid.
^i The Bishop of Man, m St. Patrick's
Irish Life and elsewhere, is called Mac-
cuille ; by Probus Mac fill or Mac/ail ; and
by Joceline he is named Macaldus, in Latin ;
thus by use of the single c, it seems to be
supposed, that in Irish, he was called Ma-
caill or Mac-aild. The Irish word Call^
which in the genetive case becomes Cuilly
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
6i
The profession of St. Brigid is held to have occurred a.d. 46 7,^-* or
possibly A.D. 469.^5 That our Apostle St. Patrick^^ officiated on this occa-
sion^7 has been affirmed by such writers as John Brampton^^ and Henry of
Marlborough. ^9 According to another account,9° she was veiled by two holy
bishops, who were disciples of St. Patrick. In his Life of the saint, Ultan
relates, that she received the veil from Bishop Mel,9' a disciple of St.
Patrick ;92 and the same statement is to be found among her other acts, in
the Irish language. This representation has been adopted by Harris.93
However, the story about St. Mel of Ardagh having veiled her is contra-
dicted by the best authorities, and it is not even worthy of refutation, in Dr.
Lanigan's opinion.94 It is to be regretted, that we have not on record the exact
name of that church,95 in which St. Brigid made her religious profession.
Cruachan Brigh-eile it is usually called. 9<5 From the account left us by
Cogitosus, that church97 would seem to have been renowned for religious
pilgrimages in his day, and to have been the scene of numerous miracles,
wrought on behalf of the devout clients of our saint. Still, this unnoted church
^has possibly been identified.92 It is thought to have been on the eastern side
of the conspicuous Hill of Croghan,99 near Tyrrell's Pass, on the confines of
has the same signification as nut ; and the
word Caill, the same as wood ; the word
faol as wolf ; whilst all, aid or alt means a
forest. Wherefore, Mac-mill, Mac-caill,
Mac-aill or Mac-aild may have the signifi-
cation oifilius nucis, filius sylva:, filius lupi,
ox filius saltus, in Latin ; as if the name
had been bestowed on him, "ex eo quod in
sylvis et saltibus latrocinia exercebat."
Colgan adds, that these notices are given
by him, not because he would assert, that
he had furnished the right origin for such
proper names ; but, because they show dif-
ferences existing between them, and may be
adopted, until better interpretations or de-
rivations are offered. With those two names
of the saints in question, and from many ap-
pellatives of saints in Ireland, which com-
mence with Mac, scarcely one — at least
adopting its etymological origin — can be
considered a name proper to whom it may
be applied, but many are conventional.
^'^ See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesi-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xvi., p. 336.
Also, Index Chronologicus, A.D. CCCCLXVII.
^5 See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., section
iii., p. 386.
^^Joceline relates, that St. Brigid was
present at a sermon of St. Patrick, in a
place called Finnabhair. Afterwards, St.
Patrick went to Munster, where, as well as
in other Irish provinces, he spent nine
years. See Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap.
xciv., xcv., pp. 86, 87. Colgan's "Trias
Thaumaturga."
^7 Some writers place St. Patrick's death
so early as a.d. 458, while others say that
he lived until A.D. 493. See " Life of St.
Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iii., p.
28.
^^ See " Historia Joronalensis," ad ann.
I185.
^9 In his " Chronicle," at A.D. 493.
9° See " Hystorie plurimorum Sanctorum
noviter et laboriose ex diversis libris col-
lecte." Louvanii, A.D, 1485, 4to.
9^ See, in reference to this account, "The
Book of Obits and Martyrology of the Ca-
thedi-al Church of the Holy Trinity," edited
by John Clarke (^rosthwaite and Rev. James
Henthorn Todd, Introduction, pp. xcvi^
to cii., with accompanying notes.
52 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Tertia Vita S. Patricii, cap. xviii., p. 519.
93 See Harris' Ware. Vol, iii,, " Writers
of Ireland," book i., chap, iii., p. 12.
94 He adds : " It is to be found in the
Third Life (cap. 18), with the author of
which Mel appears to have been a great fa-
vourite Yet, however
partial to Mel, it mentions Maccaille, but
makes him a disciple of Mel, and represents
him as introducing St. Brigid to him." —
" Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
chap, viii., sec. iii., p. 388.
95 In the Second Life, it is stated, while
the saint made her vows to heaven, she
touched a wooden support, on which its
altar rested, Cogitosus says, in his time,
this wood was Still green, as if it had not
been cut down and barked, but had yet re-
mained attached to its roots and growing,
9^ Bri Eile or Croghan was the church of
St, Maccaille, See "Letters containing
Information relative to the Antiquities of
the King's County, collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837."
John O'Donovan's letter dated TuUamore,
January 4th, 1838, p. 112.
97 This was "in the city Medi." See
Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish
Saints," p. 288.
98 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., n. (m), p. 152.
99 The parish of Croghan is described on
the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the King's County." Sheets 3, 10. On
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the King's County and Westmeath. No church at present marks this site,
but a frequented graveyard is to be seen on the spot indicated. The place
itself is elevated and greatly exposed to the action of passing winds. It would
seem, according to another opinion, that our saint received her religious habit
at Huisneach Midi,'°° usually supposed to have been identical with Usny
Hill.'°' According to Tirechan, Maccaille was then at this place,'°^ which,
although not his usual residence, was probably comprised within his ecclesi-
astical district.'°3 Likely, also, the church had been built of wood, and had
not suffered from fire, down to the time, in which Cogitosus wTote. This
accident occurred, however, before the Latin Hexameter or Sixth Life of
our saint had been composed. Allusion is there made to the miraculous
circumstance regarding that portion of the altar, touched by the holy virgin,
having escaped conflagration.
Although certain writers have assumed, that St. Brigid made her religious
profession so early as her fourteenth year •,^'"< yet, nothing has appeared in
evidence to sustain this opinion. It is true, before the passing of a decree,
at the Council of Trent, that age was deemed sufficient for receiving the
veil. Hector Boece'°s seems therefore to have inferred St. Brigid's earliest
acceptance of her privilege. ^°^ On this subject, a more reliable authority
declares, St. Brigid must have been at least sixteen years old, at the period of
her consecration, as in those times, that was the earliest age, compatible with
the perfomiance of such a ceremony. It is probable, she had attained this latter
age, at least, as her parents considered her marriageable, at a time she ex-
pressed her preference for the state of virginity. In the early ages, conse-
crated virgins lived with their friends, and discharged the ordinary household
duties. Afterwards, it was found more desirable they should live in com-
munity. Strict enclosure was of a later date, and it was gradually introduced
among the religious houses. It is needless to state, how much it has con-
duced to promote sanctity in such holy institutions. '''7
Maccaille is said to have clothed her with a white cloak^°^ and to have
placed a white garment or veil over her head. Relating like circumstances,
Tirechan says, that she received the pallium from Mac-Cuille or Maccaille.
It is worth while remarking, the dress of ancient nuns was white ; nor were
there any distinct orders of religious females in Ireland, until some centuries
after St. Brigid's time, as all consecrated women followed the same rule she
had observed. '°9
A learned Irish ecclesiastical historian"® will not have it inferred, that
the latter maybe traced the curious anti- iii., and n. 41, pp. 386, 388.
quities adjacent to the ruiped church on ^°^ See " The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Croghan Hill. Irish Priest, chap, iii., pp. 33, 34.
100 Xn Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, '°^ The white garment of St. Brigid is
the place of her profession is said to have mentioned in her Third Life. See Col-
been at Tealach Midi, where Bishop Mel gan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita
was then living, pp. 17, 18. In other S. Brigidte, cap. 108, p. 540.
words, this place may be rendered Tulach '°9 Such is the opinion of Dr. Lanigan,
Midi, or the Hill of Meath, who adds : " We find nothing about cutting
'°* In the present county of Westmeath. of hair, which was not practised in the pro-
'"^ According to Ussher. fession of holy virgins as early, or, at least
'°3 See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical as generally, as the regulation for their
History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, vii., sec. wearing a particular habit." — " Ecclesias-
^^M P- 335- tical History of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, viii.,
'°* See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of sec. iii., n. 34, p. 3S7. He quotes Tille-
the Saints," vol. ii., February I., p. 17. mont's " Memoires pour servir a I'Histoire
*°s Ussher and other writers drew similar Ecclesiastique," tomus x., pp. 84 to 302 ;
accounts from him. and Bingham's " Ecclesiastical Antiquities,"
^*°* See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical book vii., chap, iv., sect. 6.
History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. "° Dr. Lanigan.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
«3
our saint's father resided in the ancient province of Meath, as he is con-
stantly called a Leinsterman. According to the same writer, he seems to
have lived not far from Kildare, where Brigid afterwards founded her nun-
nery.'" The reason why she had recourse to Maccaille was probably, be-
cause he was then the nearest bishop to her father's house ; and, as the con-
secration of virgins was reserved to the episcopal order, a priest could not
receive her profession. It is a matter of considerable difficulty to determine
the place, where the holy virgin first established her religious house. Accord-
ing to a local tradition, we find it stated, St. Brigid and her sister lived in
Faughard Church."^ This, however, is unreliable. Another opinion has
been offered,"^ that our saint founded her first religious establishment in
that part of the King's County, which formerly belonged to the ancient pro-
vince of Meath, as may be conjectured from its having been not far from
Usneach or Usny hill,"^ where Brigid received her veil. The place is
spoken of, as being surrounded by the towns -of Meath. "s Usny hill"'^ is
not far distant from the present King's County."7 There Maccaille seems
to have usually resided. In Fearcall, formerly a part of Meath, now the
baronies of Ballycowen and Ballyboy,"^ in the King's County, there was
a place called Rath-brighide, i.e. Brigidstown."9 Dr. Lanigan supposes, St.
Brigid's dwelling was either about that district, or in an adjoining one of
"' " In the Fourth Life (L. 2 c. 3) it is said
that after an absence of some duration, she
returned to her own country, that is, to the
district where her relatives resided, and that
in said tract a place was assigned to her for
erecting a monastery for holy virgins, after-
wards called Kill-dara." — "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," chap, viii., § iii., and
n. 37, PP- 385, 388.
"^ Tradition states, that it is likewise
called Cilt mtii|Ae, or "the Church of
Mary." See "Louth Letters, containing
Information relative to the Antiquities of
the County, collected during the Progress
of the Ordnance Survey in 1835," vol. i.,
p. 287.
"3 By Dr. Lanigan.
"4 It lies about four miles north-west from
the Castletown station of the Midland Rail-
way, and in the county of Westmeath. The
hill is a long swelling green eminence, ly-
ing east and west. It has never been sub-
mitted to the plough. It has two summits,
and the eastern one is occupied by an an-
cient cemetery. A broad avenue formerly
led to it from the south, and the lines of this
are still traceable on the green sward. With
the exception of the Cat Stone, and some
smaller earth-works, on the lower part of its
eastern slope, no other structural works re-
main on the hill. See " Proceedings of the
Royal Irish Academy," second series, vol. i.,
No. 7. A paper (xvii.) read by Samuel
Ferguson, LL.D., Vice President, February
26, 1872, "On Ancient Cemeteries at
Rathcroghan and elsewhere in Ireland (as
affecting the question of the Site of the
Cemetery at Taltin)," p. 118.
"5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, cap, xxi,, p, 529.
"* Interesting engravings, representing a
ground plan of Usneach cemetery, and a
sectional part of its upper surface, are pre-
sented by Dr, Ferguson, in the paper to
which allusion has been already made. The
principal cemetery enclosure is an irregular
circle, or rather a square, with the angles
rounded off, being about 250 feet in dia-
meter. Subsidiary to this, there is on the
western side an annexe of the same general
outline. This is about 180 feet in diameter.
There appears to have been a five-fold par-
tition in the enclosures. Each division con-
tains tumuli, and some of these seem to have
been erected on the intersection of demarka-
tion mounds. All have been opened. In
the western division, the mouth of a cave
has been exposed. Other holes in the sur-
face show where the roofing stones have
filled up passages. These mounds and tu-
muli are exhibited on the ground plans.
See pp, 119, 120.
"7 In his account of the parish of Conra,
Dr. O'Donovan gives some notices of Cnoc
tlipiij, or the Hill of Usneach, on which
the pagan monarch Tuathal Teachtmhar
erected a longphort in the second century.
See "Letters containing Information re-
lative to the Antiquities of the County of
Westmeath, collected during the Progress of
the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i.
Letter of John O'Donovan, dated Bally-
more, Lough Sewdy, September 17th, 1837,
pp. 117 to 125.
"^ This place has been improperly con-
founded with St. Brigid's Town in " The Life
of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iii.,
p. 34-
"9 This conjectural statement of Dr.
Lanigan has been unreservedly adopted as a
correct one, in " The Life of St. Brigid," by
an Irish Priest, chap, iii., p. 34.
64
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Westmeath."° As in the immediately subsequent events of St. Brigid's
career, the great central territory of Teathbha, or Teffia,^"^^ is frequently men-
tioned, it seems likely enough, her first religious house was situated either
within that district, or at least in a not very remote situation from it. Per-
haps, owing to the recorded intimacy and friendship between herself and
Bishop Mel, her community, at first, was under his supervision and guardian-
I
Old Church Rums at Ardagli.
ship, and it may have been at Ardagh, where at present a very ancient
ruined church is shown. "^ It is one of the most cyclopean and archaic
type."3 The door-way was perfect, but remarkably low.'^^'J Also, it must
be observed, that a very prevailing popular tradition associates St. Brigid
with St. Mel, as a chief patroness of the Ardagh diocese, "s and a holy
'^ He adds, that we may find a Tegh-
brighide, or Brigid's house, in Kinel-fiacha
/.6'., the country about Kilbeggan. See
'* Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
chap, viii., sec. iii., and n. 47, pp. 386,
389.
_"' This territory, called Teffa, in Certani's
Life of the Saint, lay north and south of
the Ethne or Inny river. The former, in St.
Patrick's time, included the greater part of
the present County Longford, and the latter
the western half of Westmeath County. See
" The Topographical Poems of John O'Dub-
hagain and Giolla na naomh O'Huidhrin."
Edited by John O' Donovan, LL.D., p. ix.
"^^ The greater number of its stones are
eight feet long. These ruins are to be seen
at the south-east angle of a modern grave-
yard. See letter of John O'Donovan, dated
Edgeworthstown, May i8th, 1837. "Letters
and Extracts containing Information relative
to the Antiquities of the County of Long*
ford, collected during the Progress of the
Ordnance Survey in 1837," p. 39.
'-3 This has been sketched by George I)e
Noyer, and it is to be found among the folio
drawings in the Royal Irish ^Vcademy's
Library. It has been thence transferred to
the wood and engraved by Mr. Gregor Grey
of Dublin for this work.
"■♦ In 1837. The church itself was never
very large.
'^s Such information the writer has re-
ceived from Very Rev. Thomas Canon
Monaghan, P.P., LoughdufT, in the Diocese
of Ardagh.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 65
well"^ dedicated to her is to be seen near the town of Ardagh."7 In one
of our saint's lives, we are told, that the bishop,"^ who received her reli-
gious profession, prepared a suitable place for her monastic habitation,"^ and
presented her with so many cows, as there were members in her commu-
nity.'3° When she and her sisters took possession of their dwelling, St. Brigid
applied herself anew to labours, to vigils, to fasting, to prayer and to divine
contemplation. Thus, she endeavoured to advance in the narrow paths of
perfection, on which she had already entered. Although excelling others, in
station and merits, yet would she manifest her humility, by claiming to be an
associate merely in that society she had founded. By her example and
encouragement, she induced many ladies to embrace the most sublime
practices of a religious profession. ^31 The bishop and people of the district,
in which she lived, felt delighted with her sojourn in that place. Even they
showed themselves more desirous ot contributing to relieve the corporal
wants of the community established, than these religious were to receive
their gifts. If any superfluities remained, these were bounteously bestowed
on the poor, by the holy superioress, and according to the measure of their
necessities. ^32
On a certain day, Maccaille invited St. Brigid and her nuns to a banquet.
But, when the table had been laid, and the viands placed thereon, the holy
virgin entreated that bishop to refresh the minds of his guests with spiritual,
before they should partake of corporal, food. To this request he willingly
assented, and exercised his eloquence, by taking as the subject of his dis-
course our Divine Lord's exhortation from the mount. He dwelt on the
various virtues of a Christian, and especially on those eight Beatitudes, by
which the kingdom of heaven is secured. At the conclusion of his discourse,
St. Brigid said to her nuns : " My dearly-beloved sisters in Christ, we are in
number eight virgins, and eight virtues are proposed to us for your obser-
vance and sanctification. Although, whoever has one virtue, in a perfect
degree, must necessarily possess many other religious excellencies, as every
"•* There is no well in the parish of Ar- lions eight, although a few lines before it
dagh dedicated to St. Mel, and it is strange states that St. Brigid set out from her father's
that St. Brigid is the patron. Her holy well, house with only three of them. It seems
called Toberbride, lies in the townland of that when they arrived at the place where
Banghill. See John O'Donovan's letter, the bishop was, they met four or five other
dated Edgeworthstown, May i8th, 1837. postulants."— Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
" Letters and Extracts containing Informa- History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec
tion relative to the Antiquities of the County iii., n. 44, pp. 388, 389.
of Longford, collected during the Progress '3i «< in the first ages of Christianity in
of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," pp^ 38, Ireland, circumstances did not warrant the
39, strict enclosure, nay, it was not enforced in
"7 This well and the old church are noted any part of the Church ; and consequently
on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps Brigid and her companions lived in com-
for the County of Longford." Sheet 19. munity, under a certain rule, without being
"8 See the " Life of St. Brigid," by an bound to remain within the precincts of their
Irish Priest, chap, iii., p. 35. convent. "—" The Life of St. Brigid," by an
"9 In the Third Life, it is stated, that the Irish Priest, chap, iii., p. 34.
eight virgins, veiled with St. Brigid, and '3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
their parents, said to her, " Do not leave us, Quinta Vita S. Brigidse, cap. xxx., p. 574.
but remain with us, and occupy a dwelling In the Breviary of the Canons Regular of
in this place." Then, we are told, Brigid Lateran, it is said, so many virgins were in-
remained with them. See Colgan's "Trias duced to imitate St. Brigid's example after
Thaumaturga." Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, her profession, that in a short time Ireland
cap. 18, p. 529. was filled with rehgious houses of nims,
^3° The distinctive number of holy women, while the house in which our saint lived was
that first joined St. Brigid, has been thus the principal one on which all the rest were
reconciled. "The Fifth Life {cap. 28, dependent.
seq.) has seven; the third {cap. 18) men-
VOL. II.— No. 2. F
66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
single virtue is bound up and connected with one of a different kind ; how-
ever, let each of you select whatever particul-ar beatitude you may desire
for your special devotion/' This injunction pleased ail the holy sisterhood,
and they asked their superioress to make her first choice of a virtue, as she
held a first position among them. Without a moment's hesitation, St. Brigid
selected Mercy for her particular practice. However, although she culti-
vated this beatitude, because she considered without it, that all other virtues
must be inefficacious or of little account ; yet, day and night she ceased not
the performance of other meritorious actions, connected with her high
vocation. Her religious sisters also applied themselves with constancy and
fervour to their sanctification, through that virtue of their special choice ;
nor did they relax in their eff'orts, until rewards promised for their holy am-
bition were received. Having thus refreshed their souls with aliment of the
Divine word, on invitation of Bishop Maccaille, they partook of those
viands placed before them. Thenceforth, it was the constant habit of St.
Brigid, during the whole course of her life, never to take corporal refresh-
ment, until she had first fortified her soul with God's holy word. ^33
As a light placed in a candelabrum cannot be hidden, so the frequent
recurrence of miracles caused Brigid's fame to be diffused, through all parts
of Ireland. Innumerable holy virgins and widows, embracing a rule of life
under her direction, and resolving to abandon all things for Christ's sake,
flocked to her religious fold. Thus God's pious servants became greatly
multiplied. Still the holy abbess was particularly solicitous that virtues and
merits should be increased. Although moral goodness does not usually
abound to a very exalted degree, except in large religious communities, yet,
virtue consists not in having many together so much as in a store of merit ;
and a numerous sodality is not so much to be admired as a fervent one.
Neither should it be a desirable object, for many to live in community, un-
less they are sanctified by the practice of distinguished virtues. Through
her illustrious example and precepts, our holy abbess urged her sisters to
advance from one grade of perfection to another ; with argument, by en-
treaty and by the exercise of authority, she withdrew those who were frail
from their errors ; while she manifested the liberality of her disposition, in a
care for the poor. She even deprived her monastery of means necessary
for the support of its inmates, with a view of releasing from want many suf-
fering members of Jesus Christ. ^34 On a certain day, three religious pilgrims
visited St. Brigid and her nuns. These were regaled with bacon and other
food. Yet, not wishing to eat the three different portions of bacon set
before them, they secreted this meat, while partaking of other refreshments.
On the succeeding day, St. Brigid saluted them, and requested them to see
that food they had concealed. Then they found, that their three portions of
flesh meat had been changed into so many loaves of bread. At another
time, two of those men were about to engage in manual labour, while the
other, and the youngest, remained in the house. St. Brigid asked this latter
man why he did not go out of doors to work with his companions. The
stranger replied, that he wanted the use of one hand. On examination,
Brigid found such to be the case. Immediately she restored it to a condi-
tion, which enabled him to engage with his comrades in their out-door em-
ployment.'3s The Acts of this holy woman abound in such wonders.
*33/3;V/., cap. xxxi., p. 574. Libro Terzo, pp. 170 to 176.
^^ Ibid., cap. xxxii., p. 574. See, also, '3S See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.'
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitii Vita Tertia S. Brigidce, cap. xix., xx., p.
rrodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iberaese." 529.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 67
CHAPTER IV.
REMARKABLE MANIFESTATIONS OF PROVIDENCE IN ST. BRIGID'S REGARD— SHE CURE3
MANY DISEASED AND AFFLICTED PERSONS — HER BOUNTIES AND HOSPITALITY— SHE
VISITS ST. IBAR — BISHOP MEL's RELIGIOUS INTIMACY WITH ST. BRIGID— HER
MIRACLES IN THEBA OR TEFFIA — SAID TO HAVE MET ST. PATRICK AT TAILTIN—
HER POWER OVER DEMONS.
The incidents of St. Brigid's life are differently arranged by her various
biographers, so that it is almost impossible to trace them out in succession,
or place them in any exact chronological order. ^ By different writers of our
Saint's Acts, there are various miracles ascribed to her ; but, as the periods
and places in which these occurred are not usually particularized, it may be
proper to comprise within circumscribed limits the recital of such super-
natural occurrences. However, some of the miracles attributed are of such
a vague and an improbable nature, that their relation may rather tend to
obscure than to illustrate her history, and further to crowd it with unauthentic
statements.
In her Life, as written by Cogitosus, we are told, that on a particular
occasion, when St. Bridget was visited by some Bishops, who were her guests,
she found herself at a loss to provide in a certain respect, for their entertain-
ment. Having only one cow to supply their wants, contrary to her usual
custom, she was obliged to milk this animal, three different times during the
same day.^ She found, notwithstanding, as great a quantity of milk had
been furnished by this animal, as the three best of cows usually produced.3
Perhaps then, or at another time, a band of thieves, coming from a certain
province, passed over a river and stole sorae oxen, belonging to our Saint.
But, on their return, the river became swollen within its banks to such a
degree, that in attempting to cross it, those freebooters were drowned, and
their bodies were swept down its course ; while, the oxen, escaping to its
banks, returned to the herd with those reins, by which they were secured,
hanging to their homs.^
During the time of harvest, a day being appointed for reapers to assemble,
in order to cut down some corn, which was ripe, and which belonged to
the Saint; it so happened, clouds began to darken, and afterwards these
dissolved in torrents of rain. Throughout a whole district, harvest labours
were necessarily suspended, during the continuance of those heavy showers ;
still, our Saint's labourers exercised their vocation a whole day, from the
rising to the setting sun, without even the least impediment. Yet, in all the
neighbouring districts, rains poured down without cessation, flooding the
whole country with ponds and rivulets of water, s
Chapter IV.—' See "Life of St. Brigid," * See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
by an Irish Priest, chap, iv., p. 48. Cogitosus, Vita S. Brigidse, cap. xvii. Also,
_ = This narrative seems somewhat incon- " Vita Prima S. Brigidse," sec. 27, pp. 516,
sistent with an account previously given, 520. This circumstance appears to be re-
that she received a cow for each religious lated in a different manner by Capgrave, in
sister in her convent. Yet, her bountiful that Life of St. Brigid, which is contained
disposition and her necessities might have in the ' ' Legenda Sanctorum Anglise Scotise
diminished the number of cattle she then et Hiberniae," cap. xiv.
owned. s When celebrating the Virtues and Mira-
3 See "Secunda Vita S. Brigidae," cap. cles of St. Brigid in his Irish Hymn, St.
vi., p. 519. Also, "Vita Quinta S, Bri- Brogan Cloen has this incident recorded,
gidae," cap. xxxvii., pp. 575, 576. This See " Prima Vita S. Brigidae," sec. 15.
miracle is also given in the " Prima Vita S. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," p. 516,
Brigidae," sec. i6, p. 516. Colgan's "Trias Cogitosus' or " Secunda Vita S. Brigidae,"
Thaumaturga." cap. v., p. 519. "Tertia Vita S. Brigidae,"
68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
St. Brigid wrought many miracles, in favour of persons afflicted with
leprosy and other diseases.^ Those were reheved from their various infirmi-
ties. 7 She restored to sight, by her prayers, a man who was bom blind.^
The lame and infirm were likewise cured, through intervention of the holy
virgin.9 An instance is recorded regarding a woman, with her daughter —
only twelve years of age and born dumb — coming to visit our Saint ; the
latter, stooping down with great humility, kissed the child, who exhibited by
her looks and gesture an affectionate reverence of manner, which the virgin's
virtues so well merited. Ignorant concerning that defect of speech, under
which the child laboured, Brigid took her by the hand, and addressed some
affectionate and pious inquiries, as to whether she designed taking the veil
or embracing another mode of life. Her mother declared, the daughter
could give no answer. Brigid rephed, she should not relinquish that child's
hand, until an answer had been given. Being asked the question a second
time, the girl said, " I desire to do only what you wish me." And from that
time forward, she spoke without the least impediment. '° Afterwards, she
remained in a state of celibacy, to the very hour of her death." According
to other accounts, St. Brigid had been approached, in the first instance,
through the medium of another pious female, named Darlugdacha — most
probably one of her own nuns, and her immediate successor in the govern-
ment of her institute at Kildare." The mute girl's mother had secured the
good offices of this Darlugdacha, or Durlaghacha, — as we also find her
called — on behalf of the afflicted daughter. The restored girl afterwards
remained under care of St. Brigid. ^3
Our Saint possessed the gift of multiplying in quantity various kinds of
food and drink, which she either touched or blessed. Thus, we are told,
when the Paschal or Easter day was near, on a certain time, Brigid wished
to prepare a banquet for all the Meathian churches,^^ in various towns^s of
that province, surrounding her own establishment. There was a scarcity of
com prevailing in this particular district at the time, and she had only very
limited means at command to enable her to effect such an object. The
small quantity of beer she possessed was contained in two tubs,^*^ as she had
no other vessels to hold it ; but, this beverage was divided into measures,
cap. c, p. 540. "QuartaVitaS. Brigidse," ibid. Also, Camerarius, p. 140.
lib. ii., cap. Ixvii., p. 560. " Quinta Vita 9 See Capgrave's "Vita S. Brigidae,"
S. Brigidae," cap. xli., p. 577, ibid. Cap- cap. xviii.
grave also states, that from the rising to the " See "Trias Thaumaturga, " Vita Prima
setting of the sun, not one drop of rain fell S. Brigidoe, sec. 22, p. 516. Cogitosus, or
on St. Brigid's reapers. See *' Legenda Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xviii., p.
Sanctorum Anglise, " &c. , in Vita S. Brigidae, 520, ibid.
cap. xxiii., and also Messingham's "Flori- "See Capgrave's "Vita S. Brigidae,"
legium Insulse Sanctorum." This account is cap. xxv.
contained, likewise, in Petrus de Natalibus, " In such case, her festival occurs, also,
in Camerarius, in the " Chronica Generalis on the 1st of February. Her acts may be
Mundi," and in many of St. Brigid's Offices. seen immediately succeeding those of St.
* See the Lections of her ancient Ofiice, Brigid.
contained in the Breviary of Aberdeen. '3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Tertia Vita S. Brigidoe, cap. cxxvi., p. 541.
Saints," p. 289. Quarta Vita S. Brigida:, cap. xci. , p. 562, ibid.
7 See, likewise, Officium S. Brigidaz, ii. '* This seems to indicate her living, with
Noctumo, Lect. v. De Burgo's Ofificia her religious, in the province or diocese of
Propria Sanctorum Hibemiae," p. 12. Also, Meath— most likely in its western part,
at the same day, Supplementum Romani 'S From this statement, we may infer,
Breviarii, as used in the Irish Church, Noct. how populous that district had been,
ii., Lect. vi. "^ jj^ fy^o. barrel, according to Lections of
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," St. Brigid's Office in the Breviary of Aber-
Prima Vita S. Brigidae, sec. 21, p. 516. deen. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xii., p. 520, Scottish Saints," p. 289.
February i.] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 69
and distributed among eighteen neighbouring churches or monasteries. It
served for the abundant refreshment of those in attendance there, during
Holy Thursday, Easter Sunday, and the week following.^7 At another time,
according to custom. Bishop Maccaille paid the Saint a visit, being accom-
panied, however, with an unusual retinue of clerics. Brigid joyfully and
hospitably received them. Having heard the word of God proclaimed by
them, she prepared to minister in turn for the corporal refection of her
guests. She placed whatever viands she could procure on the table ; yet,
with the exception of a very small quantity of beer, contained in a vessel,
she had no other kind of drink than water,^^ However, presuming on God's
goodness, she made a sign of the cross over the beverage, when it was
miraculously increased, so as to satisfy more than the wants of all her as-
sembled guests. And, we are told, that several vessels were filled, with the
contents of this particular measure, through the holy virgin's merits ; as
formerly the Almighty had filled the widow's cruise of oil, through the
Prophet Elias.^9 The bishop and his clerics departed, after having expe-
rienced the hospitality of their pious hostess, and even more gratified because
of her merits and the miracle she wrought, than with any corporeal enter-
tainment she afforded them.^^
It happened, that a scarcity of com prevailed in the Lifiey's plains, on a
certain occasion, and St. Brigid was requested by her nuns to visit St. Ibar'^
— a bishop who then dwelt in the plain of Gesille^^ — to ask him for corn.
Our Saint assented, and on her arrival, she was joyfully received by this
holy bishop. However, when Brigid and her companions came, he had
nothing for their entertainment, but stale bread and some bacon. Although
this visit took place in Lent, both saints partook of such fare ; but, two of
the nuns, who accompanied our Saint, refused to eat portions of bacon set
before them. A miraculous occurrence, however, reproved their recusancy.
St. Brigid heard of it, and she greatly blamed her nuns in St. Ibar's presence.
She ordered them, at the same time, to go out of doors, and to commence a
penitential fast. Then said Brigid : " Let us fast with them, and pray to
God." The Almighty heard their prayers, and soon afterwards a second
miracle was wrought. Bread was set before them, and when blest, it was
partaken of by the saints. ^3 Bishop Ibar asked Brigid the cause for this her
^7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga, " ^^ This account is also briefly given in
Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xxi,, p. 529. Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Bri-
It is said, that the quantity supplied "ad gid, pp. 19, 20.
clausulam Paschae." This seems to mean, ^9 iii. Kings xvii. 17.
to the following Sunday, or " Dominica in =° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Albis," which closes the Easter Octave. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xxxvi., p. 575.
Ibid, n. 15, p. 543. During the same Easter, ""^ For further particulars, on this subject,
it is stated, that a certain leper came to Colgan refers to the Life of St. Ibar, which
her, and demanded the gift of a cow. But, he intended to have published, at the 23rd
not being able to afford him this present, of April.
Brigid asked, if ;.he should pray to God, ^'^ This "Campus Gesilli," called Mag-
that he might be healed from leprosy; when gesille, in Irish, was situated in the district of
the leper replied, that he would esteem such Hi Falgi or Oflfaly, not far from the LifTy's
favour as the greatest of all gifts. The plains. It was connected with a tragic and
Saint then blessed some water, with which unnatural incident, in our early history ; for
she sprinkled the leper's body, and he was old chronicles state, that Heremon, King of
immediately cured of his disease. He gave Ireland, there slew his brother Heber, when
thanks to God, and remained with St. Brigid, contending about the respective boundaries
to the time of his death.— /i^/aT, cap. xxv., of their provinces. See iVliss M. F. Cusack's
p. 529. This seems to be the same miracle, " Illustrated History of Ireland," chap, v.,
which is a little more diflusely and differently and n. 7, p. 78.
related, in the "Vita Quinta S. Brigidse," "^ in the Third Life is mentioned a very
cap. xxxiii., pp. 574, 575, ibid. wonderful transformation "in duos Eucheas
70 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Lenten visit. Then she told him her desire to obtain a supply of corn.
The bishop smiling said : " O Brigid, if you had seen and known the quan-
tity of corn in our possession, you should find, that the amount of our gift to
you must be small." The virgin replied, " This is not the case, at present,
for you have twenty-four waggon-loads of grain in your barn." Although the
bishop had only a very small quantity at first, yet on enquiry, he found the
prediction of the holy abbess verified. He gave thanks to God, and then
he divided the heaps. Ibar retained twelve waggon-loads for his own use,
reserving the remaining twelve for Brigid and her sisterhood.^^ It would
seem, that this visit of the Abbess had been returned by Bishop Ibar, for in
the Sixth Life of our Saint it is related, how he then celebrated Mass in a
solemn manner for all the people^s who were there.^*^ In the Third Life of
our holy Abbess of Kildare, we find the following recorded miracles. One
of her nuns had been afflicted with a severe illness, and this patient asked
for a little milk.*7 But, Brigid's community had no cow to afford it ; when,
the Saint told a companion to fill with cold water, and then to give the ves-
sel to the sufferer. Such an order having been complied with, it was found
replenished with milk, and warm as if this had been just drawn from the
cow.^^ When the sick nun tasted this beverage, she recovered. Two
females, belonging to her own family, and who were paralysed, lived near St.
Brigid. These asked the holy abbess to visit and heal them. She complied
with their request. When she arrived, having blessed salt and water, of
which those women partook, both were soon restored to health. Afterwards,
two Britons, who were blind, had been conducted by their servant, a leper,
to the gate of that church, near which the Saint dwelt. They asked her to
heal them. She then told them to enter the refectory and to eat, while she
should pray for their salvation. They indignantly cried out, " You heal the
sick of your own family, but you neglect strangers and attend only to prayer."
in pascha & in natalitiis Domini." But, in both saints partook of meat, during Lent,
a note on this passage, Colgan remarks, was owing to a prevailing scarcity of other
that the text is here vitiated ; for, in the prescribed food, and owing to a dispensation
Book of the Island, "oblatas panis" is read from usual Lenten observances. The nuns
for "duos Eucheas," and in the Fourth of St. Brigid, rejecting their permission,
Life, lib. ii., cap. xxii., " in duos panes ;" seem to have given way to a species of vain
■while in both these Acts are wanting the glory, preferring to obedience the practice
words, "in pascha & in natalitiis Domini." of their customary Lenten mortifications.
The author of the Third Life would seem to See " Quinta Vita S. Brigidie," cap. li. lii.,
insinuate, in Colgan's opinion, that those p. 580, ibid. See, also, an account of this
miraculously transmuted portions of bread miracle in the "Vita Sexta S. Brigidee,"
were usually exhibited on the festivals of sec. xlvii., p. 592, ibid.
Easter and of the Nativity, for a commemo- *5 <'Ibarus ad cellam vir sanctus venerat
ration. And, by the term " Eucheas " may alma
be understood the Eucharistic breads, not Dicere missarum populis sollemnia
sacramentally consecrated, or perhaps only cunctis."
blessed bread, or resembling the Eucharistic ^ Immediately after the lines previously
species. However, that account in the quoted, Colgan says, that certain portions
Fourth Life, as given in the text, seems to of the Poem seem to be missing. The last
controvert his opinion, regarding their pre- line is marked, as if for a note, which, how-
servation, for any popular exposition. ever, has been omitted in the proper place.
»*See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," See "Vita Sexta S. Brigidte," sec. lii., p.
Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. liv., pp, 552, 593. " Trias Thaumaturga. "
553, and nn. 27, 28, p. 543, ibid. Quarta =^7 In the Lections in St, Brigid's Office
Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xxiii., xxiv., taken from the Breviary of Aberdeen, we
P' 553» i^d. The foregoing incidents are find a similar statement made in reference to
somewhat differently given in the Fifth Life, this remarkable recovery. See Bishop Forbes'
where we are told, Ibar had not more than " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
four or five measures of com in his bam, =« In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life this
when Brigid first arrived. The reason, why account is given, pp. 19, 20,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 71
She received this reproof by meekly going out from the church, and taking
blessed water to them. When she had sprinkled them with it, the leper was
cleansed and the blind men saw. All three praised God, and returned
thanks for such benefits as He there bestowed on them.
A woman came one day to St. Brigid. That visitor drove a cow, with its
calf, which had been intended as an offering for the abbess. However, the
calf strayed away into a very thick wood. Finding she cbuld not drive the
cow without it, the woman called out with a loud voice, that Brigid might
assist her. Immediately, the cow went gently with her conductor, and direct
to the virgin's house. Brigid then told the woman to feel in no way con-
cerned about the calf, which should soon follow in the traces of its dam.
Another day, when the Octave of Easter had closed,=9 Brigid said to her
nuns, " Hath that beer reserved for our Easter solemnity been given out, for
I am solicitous regarding Bishop Mel, and the guests of Christ T The nuns
replied, that God would send them a sufficiency. Then they brought on their
shoulders a vessel filled with water to the Saint, that she might bless it,
according to her usual custom. Supposing it to be beer, their abbess said,
" We give thanks to God, who hath reserved this for our bishop." On exa-
mination, it was found, that water had been changed into such a beverage,
as had been mentioned by the Saint.3° At a certain time, likewise, she
suffered from sore eyes ; and on hearing about her affliction, the same Bishop
Mel sent a message she should visit him, so that both might seek a physician
to heal her. Brigid said, although not desiring to visit a corporal physician,
yet she would act as the bishop directed. It so happened, the Saint fell
from her chariot, into the ford of a certain river,3'^ whilst on her way with
the bishop to seek the practitioner. Her head struck against a stone, and a
great quantity of blood began to flow from her wound. 3^ After such an
accident, that medical professor whom they sought, met them on their way.33
Placing his hand on the Saint's head, he cried out : " O holy virgin, a physi-
cian infinitely superior to me hath healed thy head, and always seek that
physician, who is able to expel all manner of disease from thee." Bishop
Mel then said to her : " I shall never again advise you to seek any human
physician."34
The fame of Brigid's holiness, in a short time, caused this wonder-worker
to be known and universally admired by the bishops, clergy, reHgious, and
people of Ireland. Her miracles had most beneficial effects on the newly-
converted Christians, while they caused a great many conversions among
the Pagans. St. Mel and other distinguished prelates held with her frequent
spiritual conferences and took her counsel. 35 After the foregoing occurrences,
as related by her biographers, Bishops Mel and Melchu, with St. Brigid,36
=5 This account occurs in Professor O'Loo- Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii., xxviii.,
ney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 19, 20. p; 529. See, also, Vita Quinta S. Brigid®,
3° This miraculous occurrence is more cap. xlvii., xlviii., and n. 12, pp. 578, 579,
minutely detailed, in the Fifth Life, chap. 640, ibid. In the latter Life, it is stated,
xxxvi. St. Jbrigid suffered from a pain in her head.
3^ This is briefly stated in the Lections of That physician, to whom Mel sent her, was
the Breviary of Aberdeen for St. Brigid's Bishop Echeus, Echenus or Echianus, of
Office. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of whom it is said, he was skilled in the know-
Scottish Saints," p. 289. ledge and practice of various diseases, and
3^ The Third Life adds, that when it was in the remedies for their cure,
mixed with water, two mute women were 35 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
restored to the use of speech. Irish Priest, chap, iv., pp. 39, 46.
33 These accounts are also given in Pro- 36 From the poetical description in our
fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, Saint's Sixth Life, it would seem, that this
pp. 19 to 22. journey had been undertaken in the middle of
34 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," the Summer] season, and with a view of
72
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
proceeded towards the plain of Theba,37 or Teffia, where the aforesaid prelate,
Mel, had a large monastery.s^ During this journey, the favoured virgin wrought
many miracles. 39 The ancient principality of Anghaile4° seems to have been
their point of destination. While the Virgin and her companions dwelt
there, the King of Thebaic gave a banquet, at some distance from their
dwelling. An awkward servant, on approaching the royal table to remove
a precious vessel of priceless material and workmanship,42 chanced to let it
fall, when it was immediately broken in pieces.43 Full of anger, this king
arbitarily ordered him to be bound and put to death. But, on hearing about
such a cruel and an unjust sentence. Bishop Mel sought the king to intercede
for that captive. The chief, however, would not grant his petition. Then
Mel gathered up the fragments of the broken vessel, and brought them to
St. Brigid. He asked her to repair it, and she effected this task. 44 The
captive was subsequently liberated ; while the fame of such a miracle diffused
itself throughout that part of the country.45
Near this place, St. Brigid was asked to visit another pious virgin,46 called
Briga,47and at the house of this latter. Her house was at a place called Kilbrige.4^
Our saint accepted such an invitation at the time, as she had often done on similar
occasions. Arriving at the house, she was received with great joy and honour.
According to the usual custom of treating guests, her feet were washed ; and,
after the water had been removed, it cured another nun, whose feet were
1
assisting at a council held by St. Patrick.
At this Synod, many prelates were present,
from remote places. Regarding those bis-
hops and our Saint, it is added : —
" Cum quibus ilia suis perrexitsanctapuellis;
Tempore quo rutilus torrentia sol gemino-
rum
Sidera perlustrat ; ardent confinia Cancri,
Fit calor in terris, fervet sol igneus astris."
37 Colgan says of Thebe or Theba, that it
was a plain known as Teffia or Teffa, other-
wise called Anghaile, in the county of Long-
ford. See "Trias Thaumaturga, " Vita
Tertia S. Brigidse, n. i6, p. 543.
38 This monastery was Ardagh, which
afterwards grew into an Episcopal See. —
Ibid, n. 17.
39 In favour of the blind, lame and af-
flicted. We are told, also, that during the
progress of herself and of her companions,
** rectis properando gressibus ibant
Fluminis ad ripam cujusdam nomine Bannae."
It seems more probable, however, that Baruac
should be the reading, as probably the River
Barrow is meant.
4° The Muintir-Fearghaill or family of the
O'Ferralls were its chief lords for many
centuries, although in point of genealogy,
the O'Quinns of the same race were their
seniors. They had sometimes sovereignty
over that sub-section of Fergus's race, on
the east side of the Shannon. Still, they
never ruled over the whole race of Fergus,
who had large territories in Connaught, as
likewise in Thomond and Kerry. See
"The Topographical Poems of John
O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Hu-
idhrin." Edited by Dr. O'Donovan, n.
277, p. xxxviii.
4' The King of Longford, he is rather in-
exactly called in the " Life of St. Brigid,"
by an Irish Priest, chap, iv., p. 41.
4^ The writer of her Third Life says, this
vessel among our ancestors was called
* ' Septiformis Calyx. " It might be a curious
subject for enquiry, to ascertain the exact
form and material of this cup or chalice.
Have we amongst our ancient vessels any of
a peculiar shape, to which this and the
following description jnight apply ? The
many-sided mether, ordrinking cup of the
ancient Irish, may have been one of its
class. It is said to have been "a richly
ornamented vessel " in Professor O'Looney's
Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 21, 22.
43 From this account, we may infer, that
the material was either glass or pottery-
ware.
44 This account is contained, but in a
brief way, in the Lections of the Breviary of
Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes' "Kalen-
dars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
Tertia Vita S. Brigida;, cap. xxix., pp. 529,
530. Sexta Vita S. Brigidae, sees, xxvi.,
xxvii., pp. 587, 588.
4^ She is called Brigid the daughter of
Conaille [Congal] in Professor O'Looney's
Irish Life of the Saint, pp. 21, 22.
47 This Briga or Brigh is supposed to have
been venerated at the 21st of January, or
again her feast may be found at the 9th of
March.
4« See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, iv,, p. 42,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 73
crippled. ■<5 One day a woman came to our saint, with a present of apples,so
while Brigid dwelt in the plain of Theba. Before that woman left the place,
some lepers came up demanding alms. Brigid told the woman to divide
this fruit with them. Then her visitor replied, " I brought these apples, not
for lepers, but for yourself and for your nuns." Such a remark displeased
our saint, and she rebuked that woman for her want of charity, telling her at
the same time, her trees should never afterwards bear fruit.s' On returning
to her house, the woman found not a single apple remaining in her orchard ;
although, only a short time before, her trees were bending with fruit. Thence-
forward, her garden remained barren, according to St. Brigid's prediction, s^
At another time, St. Brigid journeyed through the plain of Thebe in her
chariot, when, with many cattle, she saw a man, his wife and whole family,
labouring and bearing heavy burthens. These greatly wearied them, as the
heat of summer was then excessive. Compassionating these people, our
saint gave them the horses, which were under her own chariot, to assist
their efforts. At this time, with her nuns, she sat down on the way-side.
Brigid then said to her religious daughters, " Dig beneath the sod which is
near, that a well of water may be produced, for some persons shall come
hither, who although having food, shall require drink." Having obeyed her
orders, and dug a few feet, a fountain immediately spnmg up in the place.53
After some short time, with a great number of persons on horse and foot,
accompanying him, a certain chief came to the place. Having learned, that
St. Brigid had given away her horses, he presented her with two untrained
ones. These became as tractable under her management, as if they had
been accustomed to the traces of her chariot, s-* Afterwards, some of St.
Patrick's disciples and family are related to have passed the same way.
These said to Brigid : " We have laboured on our journey, having food, but
no drink." The sisters of our saint replied, that running water had been
prepared for them to drink, and that the abbess had predicted their arrival.
Then all eat and drank together, while the fame of our saint was extolled.
Thanksgiving was likewise returned to the Almighty, for such a blessing.
While St. Brigid was travelling, with a great crowd, two lepers followed
her, and according to her usual custom, she kindly received them. How-
ever, these miserable creatures quarrelled with each other, and proceeded to
blows. Meantime, the arm of that man, who struck first, became curved, so
that he could not lift it ; while, the right hand of his opponent, which had
been raised, could not be moved again to its natural position. The hands
of these lepers remained in the condition described, until St. Brigid on com-
ing up healed them. Then they repented. ss At another time, our saint's
chariot was brought to carry a sick man, who was at the point of death.
About even-tide, he was conveyed to the place, where our saint resided ;
and, on that very night, his recovery set in, so that by morning he was
able to walk. On finding this to be the case, some lepers asked for her
45 See, Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxx,, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xxxi., p. 530.
p. 530. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. xlv., Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec. xxx., p. 586,
xlvi., p. 578. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees. ibid.
xiv., xviii., pp. 584, 585. 53 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
s° This anecdote is contained in Professor Irish Priest, chap, iv., p. 45.
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23, S4 The foregoing circumstances are related,
24. with more prolixity, in the Sexta Vita S.
5' This anecdote is more briefly related in Brigidoe, sees, xxxi,, xxxii,, xxxiv , pp. 588,
the Lections of Si. Brigid's Office in the 589. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes' ss The same account is given in Professor
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289. O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23,
5' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " 24.
y4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
chariot. This vehicle, with her horses, the virgin is said to have bestowed on
them. 56
Being invited, St. Brigid went to a certain nunnery, in the territory of
Theba, to celebrate Easter. The pious abbess57 of the place, on Holy
Thursday, ss asked all her sisters, who would wish to wash the feet of certain
infirm nuns. 59 All seeming to feel repugnance for this office, St. Brigid de-
clared her willingness to assume such a task ; and the abbess was pleased
with a compliance, which she knew to have been inspired by heaven. Four
of the nuns were then infirm ; one was a paralytic, another had been subject
to epileptic fits, one was a leper, and another had been blind.^° Our saint
first began to wash the paralytic, who said to her : " O holy mother, pray to
Christ for me, that I may be healed." Brigid prayed for her, and she was
instantly restored to health. ^^ While our saint remained in this part of the
country, she occupied a cell for some days, and it chanced, also that a boy
who had been mute and a paralytic^^ was there, although St. Brigid was
ignorant about his infirmities. Some passengers arrived, who asked for
food.^3 Our saint enquired from this boy, if he knew where the cellar key
was to be found. He immediately spoke and said " I do." Brigid replied,
" Go, and bring it to me."^4 The paralytic, hereupon, arose cured, and pre-
sented the keys, whilst, afterwards, with the holy virgin, he ministered food
to the guests, after the Scottish manner.^s When returning home, this bo/s
friends were greatly astonished on finding him both walking and speaking.
The boy told them circumstantially how he had been healed ; and all who
heard his account gave thanks to God and praised His holy servant.^^ At a
time, the holy bishops Maol and Maolchu^? came to St. Brigid. They
asked, if she would accompany them on a visit to their sanctified patron,
Patrick, then dwelling in the plain of Bregh.^^ Our saint replied, that she
very much desired to do so, as she wished to obtain his blessing. Then
those holy bishops set out on their journey, with Brigid and her companions.
A certain cleric, who had a large family, with cattle and two waggons, asked
5* See, also, ** Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
Vita S. Brigidse, sees, xxxviii., xxxix., p. "^^ Tliis is somewhat differently related in
590. the Lessons of St. Brigid's Office in the
57 She had probably been the subject of Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes*
St. Brigid, in an affiliate house. "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
58 See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish ^s Colgan has appended a note, to the
Priest, pp. 43, 44. corresponding Latin passage, in which he
59 This account is varied in the Lections proceeds to show — a question not so much
of St. Brigid's Office as found in the Bre- debated now as in his time— that the Irish
viary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes' were anciently called Scots, as St. Brigid is
** Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289. remarked to have dwelt then, in the country
^° In the Irish Life of St. Brigid, belong- of Theba, near Meath, and that the author
ing to Professor O'Looney, we are told in- of her Fourth Life must have lived at a re-
stead, that "there were four diseased per- mote period, the Irish having been commonly
sons in the house, viz., a man in a decline, called Scots, in his time. See "Trias Thau-
a maniac, a blind man and a leper," pp. 23, maturga." Quarta Vita S. Brigidce, n. 18,
24. p, 564.
" This miracle is also recorded in the ^^ This miracle is also related, in the
"Vita Sexta S. Brigidse," sec. xix., p. 585. Quinta Vita S. Brigidaj, cap. xlix., p. 579.
See "Trias Thaumaturga." There, how- See " Trias Thaumaturga."
ever, it is stated, in addition, that the other ^7 So called in the Fourth Life of our
three afflicted persons were healed by St. saint. In the Third Life, they are named
Brigid, after praying her to interpose on Mel and Melchu.
their behalf. «'o probably breaghmhagh, a transposed
^=' Relating this incident, "The Life of form of the name Magh-Breagh, a famous
St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, calls him "a plain in East Meath. See "The Topo-
deaf and dumb child." See chap, iv., p. 44. graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and
*3 This anecdote is somewhat differently Giolla na naomh O'Huidhrin." Edited by
related in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of John O'Donovan, LL.D., p. xv., n. 63.
February i-l LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 75
permission to accompany the saints, that he might minister to their wants on
the journey; but, the bishops would not consent, lest their travelling might
be impeded by the number of beasts and the amount of baggage. Then, St.
Brigid said to the bishops ; " Proceed you before us, I shall remain, and
assist those people."
The bishops obeyed her, and the saint, remaining with the cleric's family,
asked why they did not put their baggage in the waggons. She was informed
that two infirm persons, a paralytic man, and a blind woman, occupied them.
The fellow-travellers of Brigid refreshed themselves and slept for the night,
while she fasted and kept vigil. On the following morning, this spouse of
Christ blessed some water. ^9 Pouring it on the paralytic and on the blind
woman, both were restored ; one to the use of his limbs, the other to her
eyesight. Then, according to our saint's orders, their baggage was placed
in the waggons, while prosecuting their journey and giving unfeigned thanks
to God. With their permission and blessing, our saint and her companions
parted company, in order to hasten progress.
On seeing a certain rustic greatly concerned regarding his cattle, and
being near the house in which our saint lived, Brigid told her nuns to enquire
about the cause of his grief ; when he replied, that his whole family, consist-
ing of twelve persons, lay sick at home, and there was no. woman found to
milk his cows. Our saint told her nuns to perform this kindly office.
Having complied with her order, the religious sisters were invited by
that man to partake of some refreshment. With this request they com-
plied, while their holy abbess fasted. All having dined, the saint of God
blessed some water, with which she sprinkled the house and its sick in-
mates. The holy virgin's presence and her ministrations restored all those
infirm persons to health. Then they gave thanks to God, and invoked bless-
ings on his glorious servant. Subsequently, in a direct course, St. Brigid and her
companions^o proceed to a place called Tailten,7i where St. Patrick, with an
assembly of holy bishops and saints, held a council.72 Brigid was received
by the assembly with becoming honour.73 Here she is related to have vin-
dicated the character of Bishop Bron74 in a miraculous manner. 73 Tailten
has been identified76 with the modern Telltown,77 a parish78 in the barony of
^ Thus, the circumstance is related, in St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, as her
her Fourth Life. In the Third, it is said, father, and that, in turn, he adopted her as
our saint used the "morning dew," as ma- his daughter. It is also said, that for the
Uries for their restoration. first time, these two great saints saw each
7° According to Professor O'Looney's other there ; and from this date forward,
Irish Life of St. Brigid, one of these was common consent allowed St. Brigid to be
Bishop Mel, pp. 25, 26. Melchu is also the greatest of all the Irish saints, after St.
named as one of them in " The Life of St. Patrick.
Brigid," by an Irish Priest, when alluding to 74 See his acts at the 8th of June,
this narrative. See chap, iv,, pp. 46 to 75 See the Lections of St. Brigid's Office
48. in the Breviary of Aberdeen. Bishop Forbes*
7^ This place was situated in the northern *' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
part of Meath. In ancient times, it was 7^ John O' Donovan has given an account
greatly celebrated. See Colgan's "Trias of ancient Tailten— which he identifies with
Thaumaturga." Vita Quarta S. Brigida:, Telltown — in letters, dated Keannanus,
n. 19, p. 564. Uiy i2th, July 13th, July 14th, 1836, pp.
7^ It is called a " Convocation of the men 6 to 16, in "Letters containing Informa-
of Erin at Tailtin," and "the Synod of tion relative to the Antiquities of the County
Erin," in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of of Meath, collected during the Progress of
the saint, pp. 25, 26. A very interesting the Ordnance Survey in 1836."
description of Telltown, identified with Tail- 77 A townland of 626 acres so called con-
tean, is given in Sir William Robert Wilde's tains a remarkable eminence called tlAch
" Beauties of the Boyne and its Tributary the "Otibh or Black Rath. It is about sixty
Blackwater," chap, vi., pp. 149 to 154. perches northward from the Blackwater
73 In the Fourth Life of our saint, we are River,
told, on this occasion, St. Brigid received 78 it is also called Killalton Parish,
76 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Upper Kells, county of Meath.79 Yet, another opinion has been advanced
with much abiHty,^° that the remains of the celebrated Royal Cemeteries of
Tailltin should be sought for on the Lough Crew Hills,^' at Oldcastle, in the
same county. ^^ Here an annual meeting of the people, called in Irish
Oenach, " a fair," had been held in ancient times, on " the fair-hilled Taill-
ten," which seems a term inapplicable to Telltown, which lies in a low situa-
tion, and which is singularly destitute of hills. It is probable, St. Patrick
took advantage of the popular gathering there to hold a synod or to give a
public mission. It is said, the fair was held with great pomp,^3 and that it
Avas celebrated for national games, which commenced on the ist of August
each year, although occasionally interrupted or prevented, owing to
civil discords or to other causes. When the day, on which the foregoing
occurrence took place, drew to a close, on seeing the miracles which
our saint wrought, a certain man asked her to visit, with her virgins, a
house lately built, and which he wished should be consecrated by her pre-
sence. She went according to his request, and was received by her host, in
a hospitable and respectful manner. When food had been placed before the
nuns for their refreshment, Brigid said to her sisters, with a prophetic spirit ;
" The Lord hath now shown me, that this man is a Gentile, and as he will
not be baptized, we should not partake of his meats." One of her nuns re-
plied : " You speak truth, for I have heard, that of all others, he hath most
resisted St. Patrick's preaching and hath refused to receive baptism." St.
Brigid then told her host, that they could not eat with him until he had been
first baptized. Immediately afterwards, the Lord touched this man's heart
with compunction for his sins, and he believed, together with his whole family.
Bishop Bron, St. Patrick's disciple, who accompanied our saint, administered
the baptismal rite. On being informed about these circumstances the follow-
ing day, St. Patrick told the holy virgin, that henceforth she should not
journey,^-* without having a priest to accompany her.^s Then, the illustrious
bishop ordained a priest, named Natfroich,^^ who during the whole course of
79 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary The same writer proposes to publish a very
of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 600. valuable contribution to our ancient history
^° See some admirable investigations, re- and antiquities, intituled, " Taillten and
lative to this matter, which were presented Brugh : in the County of Meath : being an
by Eugene Alfred Conwell, M.R.I. A., in a account of the present condition of two of
series of communications to the Royal Irish the Royal Cemeteries of Ireland in Pagan
Academy on the 23rd of May, and on the Times." Illustrations, from correct draw-
14th of November, 1864 ; as also on the ings, are designed for this work.
26th of February, 1866, and on the 12th of ^3 Here "games similar to the Olympian
February, 1872. These were published in are described to have been held for 15 days
"Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy," before, and 15 days after, the 1st of August,
vol. ix. First series, pp. 355 et seq., and and the time appointed for this grand festival
vol. i., second series, pp. 72 et seq. was also that commonly chosen for giving
^' The pre-historic monuments here were young people in marriage." — Thomas Crom-
first discovered by Eugene Alfred Conwell, well's " Excursions through Ireland," vol. ii.,
M.R.I. A., on Tuesday, the 9th of June, p. 125. London, 1820, 8vo.
1863. See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish ^^ See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish
Academy," vol. ix., p. 356. " Examination Priest," chap, iv., p. 48.
of the Ancient Sepulchral Cairns on the ^s in the Irish Life of St. Brigid, belong-
Loughcrew Hills, County of Meath." ing to Professor O'Looney, the foregoing
^' Mr. Conwell has issued in book form, occurrences are noticed. We are informed,
thin 8vo, an interesting account of this loca- moreover, that St. Patrick's injunction to
lity. This is intituled " Discovery of the St. Brigid " caused Natfraech to take Holy
Tomb of OllAmh -po-ohU (^Ollav Fola), Orders," pp. 25, 26.
Ireland's famous Monarch and Law-Maker ""^ This priest was afterwards numbered
upwards of Three Thousand Years Ago," among our national saints, and according to
Dublin, 1873. It contains several interest- Marianus O'Gorman and the Martyrology of
ing illustrations, pertinent to the subject. Donegal, he was venerated on the nth of
l^EBRUARY I.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. n
her life attended St. Brigid, in quality of guardian, while on her travels.^7
Having taken leave of St. Patrick, the holy abbess returned to her nunnery.
About this time, also, a certain man^^ came to the saint, and bore his mother,
a paralytic, on his shoulders. When he had arrived in our saint's presence,
placing his mother on the ground, under the holy virgin's shadow, ^9 no sooner
had the infirm woman been set in this position, than she arose and cried
out : " I give thanks to God, because the moment I touched your shadow,
O saint, I was healed, and felt no more pain." Then audible exclamations
of praise to the Almighty issued from the lips of all present.9°
After some interval of time, a certain demoniac, bound with strong chains,
was about being brought to St. Brigid ; but, on learning to whom he was
being conducted, he cast himself on the ground and persistently declared,
they should never bring him to her. The conductors told him, that he
neither knew where Brigid was, nor the purpose they had in view ; still, he
replied, he well knew their object, and the place where our saint dwelt,
which he named. Finding they could not move him from the spot where
he lay, his guardians were of opinion, that a message should be sent to
Brigid, requesting her to visit him there in Christ's name. The holy virgin
assented to their request; and, on her approach, a demon fled from that
man, whilst as yet she was at some distance. This was a marked privilege
our saint possessed, for she caused devils to fear and to fly her approach,
wheresoever she came. On the instant, this man's reason returned, and he
gave thanks to God.9^
CHAPTER V.
AT ST, LASARA's CONVENT ST. BRIGID WORKS MIRACLES — HER EXCURSION TO MUN-
STER WITH BISHOP ERG— THE HOLY ABBESS VISITS CONNAUGHT— HER LABOURS
AND AUSTERITIES WHILE THERE— THE PEOPLE OF LEINSTER REQUEST HER TO
RETURN — SHE COMPLIES, AND RE-CROSSES THE SHANNON— SHE RESOLVES ON
BUILDING HER GREAT ESTABLISHMENT AT KILDARE.
While some legendary writers of the illustrious saint's acts intersperse them
with fantastic recitals, others recount the daily wonders of her life, and the
benefits her charitable solicitude everywhere spread around in providing,
not only for the wants of the clergy and religious with whom she associated,
but even for those of the poor and humble.^ At a certain time, Brigid, with
her companions, was entertained by a St Lasara or Lasrea, at the church of
this latter virgin. It has been conjectured she was the daughter of Ferguss,^
December. An Irish Life of our saint, in »* The foregoing miracles are copied, with
Colgan's possession, mentions him in the little variation, from the Third and Fourth
fourteenth chapter. See "Trias Thauma- Lives of St. Brigid. See Colgan's "Trias
turga." Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, n. 20, p. Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidae,
543- cap. xxxii., xxxiii., xxxiv., xxxv., xxxvi.,
''7 See L. Tachet de Bameval's ** Histoire xxxvii., xxxviii., xxxix., xl., xli., xlii., xliii.,
Legendaire del'lrlande," chap, ix,, p. 87. pp, 530, 531. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib.
^ He is said to have been from Northern i., cap. xxxiv. , xxxv. , xxxvi., xxxvii., xxxviii.,
Bregia in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript xxxix., xl, xH,, xlii., xliii., xliv., xlv., pp.
Life. 547, 548, 549. In many, if not in most, of
^ In the Irish Life of St. Brigid, Pro- these chapters, one life seems to be almost
fessor O'Looney renders this passage "the a verbal copy or transcript of the other,
shelter of Brigid," pp. 25, 26. Chap. v. — 'See L. Tachet de Bameval's
9° See " Vita Sexta S. Brigidoe," section " Historie Legendaire de I'lrlande," chap*
xvi., p, 585, ibid., for an account of the fore- viii., p. 82.
going miracle. =* The Martyrologies of Marianus Gorman,
7S
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
son to Fethlemid, son to King Leogaire.3 This identification, however, is
not well ascertained. '^ Her place is called Kill-Laisre,5 or " Laisre's
Church ;"^ although it is difficult to identify the foundress,7 among the many-
recurring and similar names inscribed on our calendars.^ While resting at this
retreat, on the evening of a particular day, accompanied by a great multitude,
St. Patrick, it is said, came to demand hospitality. Then, the nuns of St.
Laisre's church,9 being concerned about the poor provision made in that
place for entertaining such a number of persons, manifested their inquietude
to St. Brigid. She enquired, what store they possessed. Being told, they
had only twelve loaves, an tgg, and a little milk,^° which were prepared for
herself and her sisters, our holy abbess repHed, that these should prove
sufficient for a great number of persons, through God's bounty. She then
required the Sacred Scriptures to be read, so that their corporal necessities
might presently be forgotten. St. Brigid and St. Patrick afterwards partook
of some food, which had been prepared. The quantity of provisions greatly
increased, even when their repast concluded. St. Lasrea then offered her
place to God and to St. Brigid, for ever." This account seems to indicate,
that previously, it had been a convent and not subject to her jurisdiction.
Our Divine Redeemer proclaimed, " Blessed are the peace-makers, for
they shall be called the children of God.''^^* While holy Brigid remained at
the nunnery of St. Lasara, a certain man, whose wife bore him some un-
accountable aversion, came to the virgin. He entreated, that she should
employ her pious offices for the restoration of a connubial love, which ought
to exist between himself and his companion. Then, Christ's holy spouse,
blessing some water, ordered the man to sprinkle his house with it, in God's
name.^3 This order he obeyed. During the absence of his wife, food and
drink, with his bed, were aspersed by him. When she returned home,^* her
Tallagh, and Cathal Maguire treat concern-
ing her at the 1 8th of February, and at the
29th of March, in the opinion of Colgan.
See "Trias Thaumaturga, " n. 21, p. 543.
3 About the year 520, his great-grand-
daughter, St. Lasre, flourished, on the
borders of Meath and Leinster. She was
a disciple to St. Finnian of Clonard, as may
be seen in the twenty-second chapter of his
life, and also in the sixteenth chapter of the
Life of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise.
^The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani as-
sumes it as established, in his work, "La
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, p. 265. For the
use of this very rare work, the writer is in-
debted to its learned and courteous owner,
Jasper Robert Joly, LLD., 38 Rathmines,
Dublin.
s In an Irish life of our saint, at chapter
xxviii.
6 In Latin " Cella S. Lassaroe."
f The time and place are thought by Col-
gan to favour such identity.
^ There are at least fifteen or sixteen holy
virgins, called Lassara, Lassar or Lasrea, in
our Irish maenologies. Marianus Gorman,
the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Cathal Ma-
guire, and of Donegal, name them at the
dates of their respective festivals, which are
enumerated at the 6th of January, where the
first of these occurs.
9 There are many churches bearing such a
name in Ireland. One of these was in Ulster,
during Colgan's time. It was a parish church
of Clogher diocese, and situated on the banks
of a lake called Lochmacnen. Allusion has
been made to it, in the notices of St. Lassar
of Achadh-foda. There was another in the
diocese of Lismore, in Munster. A third
was in Elphin diocese, in the territory Oirecht
Hymainnin ; while, a fourth was in the dio-
cese of Achonry, and within the territory of
Lugny : both these latter being in the pro-
vince of Connaught. But, from circumstances
of this relation and place, none of the afore-
mentioned churches seem to be here alluded
to.
'°In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, "a sheep" is added to these
resources, pp . 25, 26.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S.* Brigidae, lib. i,, cap. xlvi.,
p. 549. Vita Tertia S. Brigidos, cap. xliv.,
p. 531. Ibid.
'^St. Matt, v., 9.
'3 In his usual erudite and fanciful manner,
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has amplified
his narrative of this incident. See " La
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 269 to 272.
**This was at Killassair, according to
February l] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
79
heart filled with affection towards her husband, while their mutual harmony
and love continued so long as they lived. '5 At this time, also, St. Brigid
was visited by a certain virgin, descended from the race of Guais or Guas-
sius.^*5 Their district was in Meath, where they were known as the Hi Mac
Huais.^7 This virgin sought alms from every house in the kingdom.
Brigid said to her : " I will give you either my cloak, or a heifer lately pre-
sented to me.'^ The religious told our saint, that neither of these gifts
could profit her, for way-side robbers might deprive her of them. Brigid
then asked her visitor, if she would receive a girdle, worn by herself, and
which should heal several kinds of diseases, prevailing in that part of the
country, provided this zone were immersed in water, the name of Christ
being also invoked. The virgin'9 received this gift from our saint very
thankfully. Taking the girdle, she first went to a certain boy, who was sick,
and who was greatly beloved by his parents. The Almighty was pleased to
restore him to health, through the instrumentality of this Brigidine relic.=*°
That virgin in like manner was enabled to heal many, who were sick, so
long as she lived.^^ According to St. Brigid's prediction, she even received
several presents in return for such services. With the gifts thus acquired,
she bought lands, giving all the wealth she possessed to the poor. While
living a chaste and holy life, she became a distinguished saint. ^* Her name,
however, does not appear to have been recorded.
Another time, St. Brigid went into the district of Feara Ross.'3 Having
been requested by some persons, the Abbess visited a king, living in the plain
of Breagh,24 that she might obtain a certain man's liberation. This person
had been held as a prisoner by the dynast. Our holy virgin promised a
Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St, Brigid.
An additional incident is added to prove the
affection, which the wife evinced for her
husband, pp. 27, 28.
'S This miraculous renewal of affection be-
tween the parties is related in the sixth
metrical life of our saint, with some addi-
tional particulars. The foUbwing line con-
cludes this narrative : —
" Virginis ob meritum Christus firmavit
am or em."
— Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta
Vita S. Brigidse, sec. xl., p. 590.
/«*Thus found in the Third and Fourth
Lives of our saint. In a note thereon, post-
fixed to the Third Life, Colgan writes an
emendation, that in the Irish idiom this
family should be named the Mac-Huais.
This tribe's name they took from an old and
respectable stock, descended from Colla
Huasius, who is numbered among the Irish
kings. See "Trias Thaumaturga," n. 22,
p. 543-
'7 The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has it
"Ella era d'vna Regione della Media, che
allora chiamausi Nac-Hunis, et oggidi vien
detta Hi Machunis."— "La Santita Prodi-
giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro
quarto, p. 272.
^^This narrative is somewhat differently
presented in the Lections taken from the
Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes'
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
'5 This person is said to have been in great
misery, before St. Brigid bestowed on her
the gift. Professor O'Looney's Irish Life
of St. Brigid, pp. 27, 28.
^° This same miracle seems the one alluded
to, in the metrical life of our saint ; but, in
this life, it is said, that a poor man was the
recipient of St. Brigid's girdle.
^^ It is stated, in the Sixth Life, that by
means of this girdle, many miracles, in
favour of the sick and afflicted, had been
wrought, throughout the districts around
Kildare. These miracles are said to have
been continued, after it had been brought to
the recipient's country. See Sexta Vita S.
Brigidse, sec. xxv., pp. 586, 587.
^^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
VitaTertia S. Brigidse, cap. xlv., xlvi., and
Quarta Vita S. Brigidse lib. i., cap. xlvii.,
xlviii., pp. 531, 549.
^3 Which means "the men of Ross. " Pro-
fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid,
pp. 29, 30. This was a tribe and territory,
comprising the country around Carrickma*
cross, in the County of Monaghan, and a
part of Louth County. See "Three Frag-
ments, Copied from Ancient Sources, by
Dubhaltach Mac Firbisigh," edited with a
translation and notes, by John O'Donovan,
LL.D., p. 72, n. (b.)
^'^ Otherwise, Breaghmhagh, or Bregia,
the great plain of Meath, in which Tara is
situated. See " The Irish Version of the
Historia Britonum of Nennius," edited with
3o LIVJS.S OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
ransom to him for that captive. But the king would not consent to release
his prisoner. =^5 He even vowed, this man should be put to death on the
same day ; and the utmost concession, our saint could obtain, was a delay of
execution, until the ensuing night. Accompanied by the kindred and friends
of that captive, Brigid went at night to the place where he was confined ;
and while her companions slept, she alone remained awake. The dynast's
friends said to him : " Unless, O king, thy captive be put to death, during
this night, no person can deprive him of Hfe on to-morrow, for St. Brigid
will liberate 'him. We have held a council amongst ourselves, resolving to
take him away by violence, and to kill him, independently of your wishes.
This course, we trust, will serve to your being considered inculpable." But
the holy virgin was miraculously admonished, regarding this plot. During
the first night-watch, a vision appeared to the chained man. He saw Brigid
standing near him, and he heard her pronounce these words : " Behold, evil
men are intent on killing thee this night, but when thou art dragged to
death, thou shalt often call on me by name. And when the chain shall have
been removed from thy neck, that they may proceed to murder thee, slip
away from thy executioners, on the right side, and thou wilt safely escape
from them to your friends." After this announcement, and while the captive
remained awake, his executioners came. Removing him without the door
of the king's castle, they unbound that chain which confined him. We are
told, this man immediately escaped from their hands, and without molesta-
tion, he came to St. Brigid ; his enemies, meantime, thinking they had killed
him and had cut off his head. On the following day, however, neither his
head nor body could be seen, and this man's enemies were astonished at the
result of their search. In the early part of that same day, Brigid sent a
messenger to the king, with a true account concerning the transaction.
Hearing this, the dynast repented of his evil intentions, and dismissed all
inimical thoughts towards the man, on account of that veneration he enter-
tained for holy Brigid. ^'^
One of the holy men, who had been distinguished owing to his virtues in
St.Brigid's time, was Bishop Ere or Ercus of Slane.='7 He was an early
convert and a disciple of St. Patrick. ^'^ This Bishop Erc's immediate progeni-
tors and family lived in Munster ; although, he descended from Fergus
Rogius,^9 and the royal line of Ulster kings.3° His hermitage was at Slane,3^
a translation and notes by Dr. James Hen- provinces of Ireland, viz., in Ulster, Con-
thorn Todd and by the Hon. Algernon naught, and Munster.
Herbert, p. 124, n. (q.) 3ojrrom this line descended St. Brendan
^SThe account is more fully given in Ab- of Birr, St. Caiman, St. Leathan, St. Ere,
bate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti bishop, and the holy sisters Criada, Derusia,
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," and Sincha, daughters of Ernan. According
libro quinto, pp. 354 to 359. to the " Sanctilogic Genealogy," chap. 30,
^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " these were near relatives of St. Brendan.
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxix.. In this old record, the several holy persons
p. 556. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigida:, cap. enumerated are derived from their common
Ixviii., p. 535. Ibid. progenitor, Corb. See "Trias Thauma-
=^7 His festival occurs at the 2nd of No- turga." Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, nn. 42, 43,
vember. p. 544.
=* In addition to this, D. Giacomo Certani 3' In the " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and
makes him, absurdly enough, a Canon Re- Modem," vol. i., chap, xxxix., p. 297, the
gular of St. Augustine. See "La Santiti Rev. Anthony Cogan writes in sympathy
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," with his subject. '* The Rev. Mervyn Arch-
libro quinto, p. 362. dall, Protestant Rector of Slane, the distin-
=9 His son was Corb, sumamed Ulom. guished author of the Monasticon Ilibcrtiicum
Eight sons of this Ferguss, with their pos- and of the Peerage of Ireland, is buried in
terity, held large tracts of land, indifferent the Protestant churchyard of Slane. He
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
8i
on the banks of the Boyne, and it stood in a most charming locality. 3' Here
too, at the present time, may be seen some most interesting relics of our
Franciscan Abbey Ruins, at Slane.
ancestors' piety. 33 Beside that romantically situated cell of the holy man,
was an indefatigable compiler, and to his
valuable labours we are all indebted for much
interesting information. Over his remains
a monument has been erected, with the fol«
lowing inscription : —
' We shall also bear the image of the
Heavenly.'
Sacred to the Memory
of
Mervyn Archdall, A.m.,
Rector of this Parish,
Who died the 6th August,
1791-
Aged 68 years."
3= A very interesting history and descrip-
tion of Slane — so associated with early and
closing scenes of the amiable and learned
writer's life — will be found in the Rev.
Anthony Cogan's ** Diocese of Meath, An-
cient and Modern," vol. i., chap, ix., pp.
58 to 64, and chap, xxxix., pp. 283 to 297.
The lamented deceased was a native of Slane,
where he was born in the year 1826. He
was ordained a priest A.D. 1 850. As a
lecturer and pulpit orator, he was highly
distinguished. By the admirable work he
published in three octavo volumes, an in-
calculable service was rendered to the dio-
cese of Meath. Attached as dean to the
Vol. II.
Diocesan Seminary of Navan, he won all
hearts by his goodness and gentleness. His
collegiate duties were faithfully discharged ;
while his literary labours were of a peculiarly
arduous nature, and must, no doubt, have
greatly tended to undermine his constitution.
In his preface to the first volume the author
says : "I went from churchyard to church-
yard, taking the dimensions of the existing
ruins, deciphering the tombs of priests, tran-
scribing the inscriptions on the pedestals of
old chalices, searching the registers, gather-
ing old documents and letters of the aeceased
pastors, examining the lists of subscribers
catalogued in old books, visiting the old
crosses and the holy wells, and taking notes
of every surviving memorial of the faith and
piety of the people," p. viii. In declining
health, "It is strange," he often observed
to his friends, " I believe that I had a voca-
tion to write this work, and I should not be
surprised if God would call me soon, since I
have finished my labours." He departed
this life on Saturday, January 28th, 1872,
at Slane, with his relatives so dearly loved
by his bedside, at the comparatively early
age of 46. He was buried on the following
Monday, in the Parish Church of Slane,
where a handsome public monument has
been erected to commemorate his worth and
services.
33 The accompanying engraving, by Mm,
0
S2
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
yet visited by so many pilgrims of taste, who delight to wander along the wind-
ing waters of the Boyne, some towering and extensive abbey ruins34 crown a
magnificent height, which presents a vast view over one of the most lovely
landscapes in Ireland. 35 A fine, lofty, and nearly perfect abbey-tower
dominates over the deserted and ruinous cloisters beside it.s^ A much
frequented graveyard surrounds the ruined Franciscan monastery, that had
been founded here a.d. 1512.37 The pious and noble Flemings's^ pile of build-
ings was soon diverted to secular purposes, while the church and monastic
portions gradually fell into decay, It is said, that several fragments of St.
Erc's ancient hermitage and some ornamental details were taken from the
older ruin, and inserted in the more modern erection.
With blessed Ere, the great St. Brigid was specially intimate and bound
by ties of holy friendship. This appears from her Acts, and it is supposed,39
that about the year 484, she was his travelling companion to his native pro-
vince.-*® Such tour of the holy abbess possibly preceded one she made to
Connaught •*'^ although, indeed, this matter has not been very clearly estab-
lished. "^^ St. Brigid entertained a great incHnation to see certain consecrated
places and holy persons in Munster ; but, according to another account, her
visit there was induced, through a desire to accompany St. Ere on a visit
towards that country, where his relatives lived. '^3 One day, while prosecuting
their journey, St. Brigid said to the bishop, " O venerable father, point out
to me the quarter of Munster, in which your family resides." When the
bishop had complied with her request, the holy virgin exclaimed in continua-
tion, " At present, a war is there waging, between your tribe and another
clan." The bishop replied to her : " O holy mother, I believe what thou
hast told me is true, for when I last left them to see you, they were in a
state of discord." Then Brigid cried out, " O Father, your people are now
routed." One of St. Erc's disciples, 44 hereupon, thoughtlessly remarked to
\
Millard, Dublin, from a drawing made on
the spot, represents the ruins of the Fran-
ciscan monastery at Slane.
3* At Slane, it is said, Dagobert, King of
Austrasia, took refuge, when he was ban-
ished into Ireland, by Grimoald, Mayor of
the Palace, at the age of seven years, and
A.D. 653.
35 Canons Regular of St. Augustine have
been placed here by Harris, and St. Patrick
is called the founder in the sixth century.
See Harris' Ware, vol. ii., "Antiquities of
Ireland," chap, xxxviii., p. 264. But, Sir
James Ware more sensibly states, that
Christopher Fleming, Baron of Slane, and
his wife, Elizabeth Stukely, were the foun-
ders. In the charter of its foundation, it is
stated, to have been "in loco Hermitorii
S. Erci." See "De Hibernia et Antiqui-
tatibus ejus," cap. xxvi., pp. 167, 168.
3* A very inexact engraving of this ivy-
shrouded object is presented in the "Dublin
Penny Journal," vol. ii., No. 102, p. 393.
37 See Archdall's "Mopasticon Hibemi-
cum," pp. 572, 573.
3^ See some account of them in Rev. C.
P. Meehan's " Rise and Fall of the Irish
Franciscan Monasteries and Memoirs of the
Irish Hierarchy in the Seventeenth Century,"
ohap. ill., pp. 144 to 156.
39 By Dr. Lanigan.
4° Whether this or the Connaught journey
took place, before or after the foundation of
her nunnery at Kildare, seems uncertain.
Perhaps, she made more journeys than one
to either province, for she appears to have
been an indefatigable traveller on her holy
missions, like the great Apostle St. Patrick.
4' See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. x.,
n. 116, p. 407.
4= In "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, he gives precedence to the holy
woman's Munster visit, in the order of nar-
rative. See chap, iv., v., pp. 50 to 56.
Some of her Latin Acts seem to reverse this
arrangement. Abbate D. Giacomo Certani —
no great historical authority, however —
places the Connaught journey after the
Munster one. See " La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese," libro quinto,
pp. 362 to 404. See also p. 408, et seq.
♦3 See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His-
tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. iv.,
P- 389-
■♦^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid he is called a clerical student,
while it is stated St. Brigid and Bishop Ere
were in Leinster, at the time of this occur-
rence, pp. 41, 42.
February i.] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the holy abbess, " How are you able to see the fight at such a distance ?"
The bishop reproved this incredulity for his not recognising the Holy Spirit's
illuminating gifts conferred on a virgin, who was blessed both in soul and
body. Then said P^c to our saint : " O servant of God, sign our eyes that
we may witness those things thou seest." The spouse of Christ immediately
complied with this request, so that they clearly observed the battle's progress.
Looking on, in great griet, his disciple cried out to Bishop Ere : "Alas!
also, my Lord, at this moment, my eyes behold the decapitation of two
brothers." The result of enquiry established the reaHty this vision detailed.-^s
Afterwards, in a certain place, and near a mountain, the holy Bishop Erc^^
and the sanctified virgin Brigid sat down, with their attendants. These
were greatly fatigued after their journey, and they experienced great hunger.
A youth in their company thereupon remarked, that whoever gave them
food should confer a great charity on them. St. Brigid then said, " I pre-
dict, that if food and drink be required, you must wait awhile in expectation
of assistance from on high; because, I behold a house, in which they are
to-day preparing alms for a certain church. Within an hour it shall come
here, and even now it is put up lor us in packages." While our saint was
speaking, refreshment carriers arrived, and when they had learned th'e illustrious
Brigid and holy Bishop Ere, with their disciples, were there, those bearers
greatly rejoiced to relieve their wants. Alms were presented to the famished
travellers, with such words : " Receive those refreshments, which God Him-
self hath intended for you, as your wants and merits should be taken into
consideration, before those of any other congregation." Giving God thanks,
our travellers partook of this food presented ; yet, as they only received
edibles, some drink was required, likewise, to allay their thirst. Then
Brigid told them to dig the earth near this spot.47 On obeying her order, a
spring of clear water issued from the ground. Afterwards, it bore the name
of St. Brigid's well, and it might be seen at the time our virgin's Third and
Fourth Lives had been written.^^
The holy travellers subsequently visited Magh'Femyn,49 at a time when
a great Synod of Saints was there assembled. 5° They were obliged to re-
main at that synod. 5"^ The holy Bishop Ere gave an account of those
miracles wrought by our saint, while he was assisting at this council. 5» The
neighbouring inhabitants, hearing that Brigid was there, brought many
infirm persons to her, that she might heal them. Among these were in-
cluded some lame, leprous, and demented persons. 53 Such fortunate patients
*5Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has a la- 544.
boured account of the foregoing incidents. 5° We appear to have no other historical
See "La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. notices regarding this synod preserved. It
Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 362 to does not occur in the List of Councils, con-
368. tained in Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
4^ In the Third Life of St. Brigid, the of History," pp. 21210269.
words *' Bronus Episcopus" are introduced S' See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
erroneously, as is evident Irom the context. Irish Priest, chap, iv., p. 51.
*i See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti s^ Near Fethart, in the county of Tipper-
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," ary, there is a Kilbride ; but, it is not known
libro quinto, pp. 368, 369. to have been erected by St. Brigid, or to
■♦"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." indicate the site of any residence, which
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xlii., had ever any connexion with her, and which
xliii., pp. 556, 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. existed in the neighbourhood. See Dr.
Brigidae, cap. Ixxi., pp. 535, 536. Ibid. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
*^ Otherwise, Magh-Femhin, or "the land," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. iv., and nn.
plain of Femhin," winch is a celebrated and 51, 52, pp. 389, 390.
extensive level in the territory ol the Decies 53 See " La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di
inMunster. See Colgan's " Trias Thauma- S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 369
turga." Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, n 45, p. to 373.
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
were released from their several afflictions, through Divine assistance, and
the prayers of our merciful saint. 54
After this, Brigid went to a place, adjoining the sea, and at no great distance
from that house in which Bishop Ere then dwelt.ss Here she remained for
a long time, with her companions. s^ An anchoret lived not far from them.
He was a most devout and perfect man. Wishing to avoid all female
society, he sought a desert place for his habitation, and directed his course
to an island.s7 While on his way thither, he came near a cell, in which
St. Brigid lodged. The disciples of the anchoret said to him : " O Father,
let us visit holy Brigid, that she may bless us." The anchoret replied:
" My children, you know already my vow to visit no woman.^ss Then
continuing their course, they recollected, in the evening when they had
reached a hospice, that some of their luggage had been left behind. It was
generally supposed, this loss of their effects occurred, through their neglect
of visiting our saint to receive her blessing, and they resolved to fast that
night, in atonement for their fault. After these religious men had taken
their departure, St. Brigid was inspired to address the following words to her
nuns : " Go and bring hither the property of God's servants, and which has
been left behind on the road near to us." On the following morning, the
monks went back to Brigid, and found their effects in her safe keeping.
The holy anchoret and his disciples remained three days and as many nights,
near to where she lived. All offered joint prayers to Heaven. God's holy
word59 was preached, likewise, during this visit.
Those devout men afterwards prosecuted their course, and St. Brigid
comphed with their wishes, by accompanying them one day's journey.. Our
pious virgin had compassion on those disciples of the anchoret, for she saw
their burdens were too heavy. Beholding two horses descend towards her
from a neighbouring mountain, she ordered their baggage to be placed on
these animals. When the end of that day's journey had been accomplished,
Brigid wished the return of those horses to their owners. Her desire was
accomplished, although none of the company knew whence they came, or to
whom they belonged. Parting with those religious men, St. Brigid bestowed
her benediction on them. Afterwards, she returned towards her cell.
When that anchoret came to the island of his selection, a man who had
previous possession entered it, with his wife, sons, daughters, and servants.^
5* Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." Vita sible conjecture, that it might have been a
Quarta S. Brigidfe, lib. ii., cap. xliv,, p. St. Killian, whose festival occurs on the 3rd
557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. of March, and who dwelt in the island of
Ixxii., p. 536. Ibid. Inisdoimle, within the bounds of Munster.
55 Dr. Lanigan says the place is now known Perhaps it was St. Barrindus, or Bairrfinn,
as Kilbride, near Tramore, Waterford who is venerated on the 30th of January, in
County. See "Ecclesiastical History of the same place. See " Trias Thaumaturga."
Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec. iv., and n. Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, n. 47, p. 544.
54, pp. 390, 391. 58 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
5^ The Third Life of our saint says, that Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
she remained here for some years. Colgan nese," libro quinto, p. 375.
thinks, this place where she lived must have S9 See Colgan's *' Trias Thaumaturga."
been a church, called Killbrighde, or St. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xlv.,
Brigid's cell, in Kill-medain Deanery. This p. 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap.
place is to be found in a catalogue of Ixxiii., p. 536. Ibid.
churches, belonging to the Waterford dio- ^ See this account amplified and em-
cese. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." bellished with illustrative observations, ac-
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiii., and n. cording to his usual pedantic style of quot-
46, pp. 536, 544. ing classical and sacred writings, in Abbate
57 Colgan is unable to identify the particu- D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodi-
lar anchorite, who is said here to have lived giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," librg
in this Munster island. He hazards a pos- quinto, pp. 378 to 385.
\
February i.] Z/FES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 85
Some cattle, also, he wished should graze there during the summer season.
The holy anchoret, who had so much desired separation from worldlings,
besought this man to leave the place. To such a request, the latter would
not accede, saying that he held this island as a portion of his paternal in-
heritance. The anchoret then sent for St. Brigid, to exert her influence in
his behalf; and, when the holy virgin came to the place, she vainly pleaded
with the proprietor to relinquish his claim. On the day following, however,
a large eagle came and bore off through air this man's infant son. The
proprietor's wife and the child's mother came to St. Brigid. Her interposi-
tion was sought with tears and lamentations. Our holy virgin said : " Weep not,
for your infant lives." The eagle brought her child back and left him safely
on the shore. The infant's father was still obdurate, and dwelt near the
place, which he was unwilling to leave ; but, on the following day. Divine
Omnipotence wrought a miracle, which proved the cause of his conversion.
The proprietor's heart was now touched, and he repented his former
obstinacy. Afterwards, he devoted himself to God and to St. Brigid, pro-
mising he would not enter into that island, without the anchoret's permission.^*
On another day, while St. Brigid remained here, some religious guests
came to visit her.^^ Our saint gave a fisherman directions to kill seals, and
to proceed out towards the sea, in search of something for her guests.^3
The fisherman took his lance, or harpoon, which served to capture marine
creatures. When he had sailed out to sea, a seal crossed his course.
Raising his harpoon, it was driven home into the animal's head, while a rope
attached to it remained in the fisherman's hand. Having received a deadly
wound, this seal drew the mariner and his bark out towards the deep. Nor
was his course stayed, until the shore of a certain island,'^^ lying far away in
the ocean was reached. There the rope was cut, while the mariner reached
shore in his boat. That seal, however, with the harpoon fixed in his head,
took an opposite direction. It swam in a direct line towards the shore of
that place, where St. Brigid dwelt, and there the animal died. The Britons
gave the man a currach to return,^5 and, trusting in Divine Providence, as
also on St. Brigid's protection, the fisher set out in this frail bark. Through
God's blessing, he fortunately reached that port from which he had started,
about the sixth hour.^^ There he found the seal, lying on the sea-shore,^7
and with the lance fastened in him. Entering their house, he gave an ac-
count, setting forth those incidents of his voyage, to all the religious in-
mates.^^
^* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." ^3 According to Professor O'Looney's Irish
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xlvi,, Life of St. lirigid, this incident occurred at
xlvii., p. 557. Also, VitaTertia S. Brigidse, Tealagh (Tealuch na Nespoc), in the west
cap. Ixxiii., p. 536. Ibid. These circum- (east?) of Leinster, where pious nobles, /,^.,
stances are related, likewise, with some ad- seven bishops, were her guests, pp. 37, 38.
ditions and changes, in the Sixth Metrical ^^ Possibly the Isle of Man.
Life of our saint. It is there stated, that ^s Such is the account in Professor O'Loo-
the anchoret was a priest, and that he was ney's Manuscript.
obliged to sail over in a vessel to the island, ^ In the morning he went across the Bri-
when he came to a seaport. That child taken tish sea, and arrived back at mid-day, is
away by the eagle is said to have been the stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript
only charge his parents had, and in conse- **7 *' Qf the Leinster sea at this side" is
quence he was , greatly beloved by them. stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript.
See Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, xx., xxi., ^''Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita
xxii., xxiii., pp. 585, 586. Ibid. Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xlviii., p.
^^ See this account as given by Abbate D. 557. In the Third Life of our saint, it is
Giacomo Certani, " La Santita Prodigiosa. said, that the fisherman was dragged by the
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, wounded seal to the British coast, when the
pp. 385 to 387. He places the incident rope was cut by a rock on the sea-shore,
here narrated at Kill-Medain. See Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiv., p.
86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
Aften^^ards, St. Brigid, with her nuns, went towards Cliach plain,^9 in the
county of Limerick, and province of Munster.7° At a certain place there, she
remained for some time. During this interim, a fugitive female servant came
to her, for she had left a mistress whose bearing was intolerable. However,
following this servant, the mistress intended to bring her back ; but, Brigid,
wishing to procure the captive liberty, besought her manumission. That
female slave-owner would not agree to her proposition, as the servant wove
valuable stuffs. The imperious dame, taking her maid by the hand, even
proceeded to drag her, with some degree of violence, from the saint's side.
Such conduct greatly displeased Brigid, and when the servant had been
drawn a certain distance from her, the tyrannical mistress's right hand, which
held the slave, immediately withered. Then sorrowfully the dame wept,
finding herself unable to move her hand. On retiring, she repented this
violence. She restored her maid to freedom, and at the same time sent her
to our saint. Immediately afterwards, the woman's hand recovered its former
strength. 7^
Referable to the fine early national taste for music and poetry, in alluding
to the succeeding incident recorded in St. Brigid's Acts, an agreeable French
writer observes, that, as being children of Erin, austere eremites, contem-
plative virgins, grave abbots, and venerable bishops, heard with delight the
metallic harp-strings vibrate harmoniously, where such practices were fos-
tered.7' When St. Bridget visited the county of Limerick, she had an inter-
view with a chieftain, who lived there in Cliach plain. 73 This district
stretched over the country around Knockany, and it embraced in part the
barony of Conagh.74 St. Brigid had been asked to procure liberty for a
certain captive ; but, when she came to the chiefs house for such a purpose,
he was not at home. The chief's foster-father and his children, however,
were in the house. St. Brigid asked them to play upon harps, which were
hanging there, but they told her that the harpers were away. Hereupon,
some of Brigid's companions jocularly remarked, they should try their skill,
as the saint would bless their hands, and enable them to play, if they only
attempted it. Then, the chief's foster-father, with his sons, said, " May
God's saint bestow her blessing to enable us to harp for her." Brigid gave
her benediction to those, who were ignorant of musical art or notes. Then
they played with all the skill of trained harpers. While thus engaged,
the chief returned towards his house. Approaching it, he asked who had
produced this music he heard. When told it was his foster-father, with his
sons, and at St. Brigid's command, the chief was amazed.75 He next asked
a blessing from their illustrious visitor. This she promised to bestow, pro-
vided he would liberate the captive. With her request he complied. The
foster-father and his sons followed the profession of harpers to the very day
536, Ibid. Ixxv., p. 536, ibid.
^Colgan says, this appears to be the 72 See L. Tachet de Bameval's *' Histoire
plain in Momonia which stretches around L^gendaire de I'lrlande," chap, viii., pp.
Cnoc Aine mountain, for the district in 79, 80.
which it rises is called Aine- Cliach. See ^3 it jg called Aracliach by the writers of
"Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Tertia S. Bri- our Irish chronicles. See Colgan's "Acta
gidse, n. 48, p. 544. Sanctorum Hiberniae," Jan. iii., p. 13, n.
7° It is amusing to read in D. Giacomo 4,
Certani, this place called Aine Chiac, under 74 See Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical His-
the mountain of Croc Aine. See "La San- tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., § iv.,
tit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- and n. 55, pp. 390, 391, and chap, vi., §
nese." Libro Quinto, pp. 387, 388. viii., p. 287, ibid.
7' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." 75 See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti
Quarta Vita S. Biigidae, lib. ii., cap. xlix., p. Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese."
^57. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidye, cap. Libro Quinto, pp. 392 to 395.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87
of their death. In after times, their posterity even became esteemed as the
bards of kings.7^
At another time, two lepers visited Brigid, and entreated her to cleanse
them from their leprosy. Then praying to God, the saint blessed some
water, in which she told these lepers they should wash each other.77 While
one washed his companion, this latter was freed from his leprosy. Clean
garments were then put upon him. The virgin afterwards said to the re-
stored man, " Do you, in like manner, wash your companion." Finding
that he was cleansed and had clean garments, the person addressed felt
pleased at his good fortune ; but, he had a great repugnance to touch his
afflicted fellow-man. Our saint observed, he should do for his neighbour,
Avhat he wished the latter to do for him ; yet, still he objected and absolutely
refused. Then Brigid, rising up, washed that leper with her own hands,
until he was cleansed. Afterwards, she had him clothed with clean gar-
ments. He who had been first healed then said, " Just now, I feel sparks
of fire settling on my shoulders." Immediately his whole body was covered
anew with leprosy, as a punishment for his pride or want of charity. Thus
was fulfilled that Scripture sentence, " He who exalteth himself shall be
humbled ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."78 The restored
man rejoiced and gave thanks to God, who had healed him, through Brigid's
transcendent merits. 79
Two other lepers seeking alms came to the charitable abbess. But, she
had nothing to give at the time, save a cow, and this she offered for division
between them. One gave thanks to God for her gift ; but the other, who
was proud and ungrateful, said, unless the whole cow were bestowed, he
should not receive that part of it, which might fall to his lot.^° Then our
saint addressed the humble leper : " Do you wait awhile with me, until the
Lord send us something, and let the other man have this cow to himself."
The covetous man departed with the animal, but after awhile he found him-
self unable to drive it. At length, wearied with such vain efforts, he re-
turned to St. Brigid. He even insulted her with reproaches, conveyed in
these terms : " I could not urge the animal forward, because you have not
given her, with a willing mind, besides you are too exacting and severe."
The abbess endeavoured to appease him, but she could not succeed. This
conduct, so perfectly unjustifiable, much displeased her. At length, she
said to the insolent fellow, " Thou art a son of perdition, and your cow shall
now become docile, yet this shall not profit you in the least." At that
very moment, a man presented himself with a cow, which he destined as an
offering for St. Brigid. This gift, however, our virgin handed over to the
good leper. Then both lepers drove their respective cows towards a river.^'
Here the unthankful man was drowned, nor was his body afterwards re-
covered. The humble leper safely escaped from danger, and brought his
cow with him.^^
7^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Ixxvii., p. 537, /<J/^.
Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxvi., pp. 536, ^°See "La Santit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di
537. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. S. Brigida Iberaese." Libro Quinto, pp.
l-j PP- 557> 558, ibid. 398 to 401.
77 This account is contained in Abbate D. *' In Professor O'Looney's Life of St.
Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Brigid, where this miracle is recorded, the
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, river in question is called the Bearbha, or
pp. 395 to 398. Barrow ; and, from this it would seem, St.
7^ Luke, xviii. 14. Brigid was hardly in Munster at the time of
79 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." its occurrence, see pp. 33 to 36.
Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. li., p. ^^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
558. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. lii., p.
88
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i.
Many other. actions of St. Brigid, and worthy of being recorded, took
place, while she dwelt in the Munster province. There she also blessed
many churches and monasteries. Afterwards, she set out on a journey to
her own city, in the province of Leinster. Travelling through the plain of
Femhin, in her chariot, she met a husbandman, cultivating his field, or en-
closing it with a hedge. The charioteer 'of the holy virgin said to him :
" Allow us to pass the chariot of St. Brigid through your land, and after-
wards you can surround your field, with a hedge." The husbandman refused
this request, however, and told the charioteer he must drive round the cir-
cuit of the field.^3 Our holy virgin hereupon replied : " Let us do as he re-
quires, lest anything happen on this man's account." Still, the charioteer
disobeyed her, and drove his horses into the man's field. On seeing this,
however, the owner furiously struck the horses' heads with a club. This
assault caused the animals to prove restive. Although, St. Brigid was then
thrown out of her chariot, she suffered no further injury, while her charioteer
was hurt by the fall. Afterwards, her horses stood quietly, the holy woman
saying, " Did I not tell you to avoid this man, because I foresaw he was
doomed to death and destruction." The rude agriculturist was about to
repeat his violent behaviour, disregarding the wickedness he meditated
against God's holy servant. But the Almighty avenged the injury and insult
offered to his saint ; for that insolent boor was prostrated on the earth, and
there he died.^* We are next told, that the pious abbess came towards
Leinster's bounds, and entered a province or region, called Labrathi,^s or
Labraide. This is supposed^^ to be an equivalent for Hy-Kinsellach.^7
There, she dwelt in a certain spot.^^ Whilst here, a woman, accompanied
by a leprous daughter, visited our holy virgin, to interest this latter in her
cure. The charitable servant of God fasted, and blessed some water, ^9 with
which she ordered the leprous girl to be washed. No sooner had the
patient been sprinkled with this water, than she was cleansed from her
leprosy. Both the mother and her daughter then gave thanks to God and
to St. Brigid.9°
558. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap.
Ixxix., p. 537, ibid. This miracle, accord-
ing to Colgan, is alluded to, in the Vita
Sexta S. Brigidse, § xvii,, p. 585, where a
portion is truncated, through the fault of
him who copied the original MS. See ibid.^
n. II, p. 598. Yet, it may be doubted, if
the latter fragmentary account had not refer-
ence, rather to a miracle, which is related
in Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. ci., p. 540,
and in Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap.
Ixx., p. 560, ibid.
*3 See D. Giacomo Certani's "La San-
titi Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
nese." Libro Quinto, pp. 401 to 404.
*^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. liii.,
p. 558. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidac, cap.
Ixxx., p. 537, ibid. In the latter life, it is
said, .St. Brigid went from Cliach plain to
Leinster, to assist the poor of her race, in
this latter province. It is stated, also, that
she was hurt, as well as her charioteer, when
she fell from the chariot. The work, at
which the man was engaged, is said to have
been enclosing his field with a hedge,
^s A certain Labratius or Lauradius, son
to Bressal Belach, King of Leinster, was the
founder of the Hy Kinselach family. From
a son Enda, surnamed Kinselach, and his
family, this territory had been called Hy-
Kenselach. See " Trias Thaumaturga."
Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, n. 50, p. 544. Also,
Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., § iv., and n.
57, pp. 390, 391.
^ By Colgan.
^7 If SO, it was a well-known territory in
southern Leinster.
^ See the account given in Abbate D.
Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese." Libro Quinto,
p. 404, et seq.
^9 There was a well, bearing the name of
Tobar-Brigdhe in Hy-Kinscllagh. It was
much resorted to, on account of various
cures wrought there, in Colgan's time. This
distinguished Irish hagiologist and antiqua-
rian is of opinion, that this spring, which
was situated in the Leinster province, must
have been one mentioned in St. Brigid's
Acts, as having had a miraculous origin.
See " Trias Thaumaturga," n. 44, p. 544.
9° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 89
We are told,9'^ that Brigid, with her religious daughters, took a journey
towards Connaught ; as, for special reasons, she wished to leave her own
province of Leinster. On arriving in Connaught, she dwelt, for a time, in
the plain of Hai.92 'pj^jg ^^g a large and an extensive plain, situated in the
county of Roscommon and province of Connaught. While there, she built
cells and monasteries, in the surrounding country. Then, also, did she take
possession of that parish, about which she uttered the prophecy during her
infancy, by saying : " This shall be mine, this shall be mine."93 It is sup-
posed, that some of the cells and monasteries, said to have been founded
there, and in its neighbourhood, by St. Brigid, were probably Kill-bride,94
in the territory of Siol-Muireadhaigh ; Druim-na-bfeadh,9S and Disert, within
the district Tir-Mhaine ; and Druim-dhaim or Druim-dubhain,?^ in the
territory of Tiroilill.97
In the Third Life of St. Brigid, an account relating to this journey is
given, and towards the end of that treatise.^^ It is probable enough, as
numbers of pious females flocked from various districts in Ireland, to embrace
a religious rule, under our saint's direction, that she might have judged it ex-
pedient, to extend her institute, in various districts of which several pious
postulants were natives. Besides the inconvenience of having so many
persons living in the same establishment, it is likely, Brigid had been invited
by some bishops, to found houses for religious women, in their respective
dioceses, to forward thereby and diffuse more widely the interests of religion.99
When necessity or duty required, consecrated virgins often appeared, and
travelled on public roads. Although there are several places in Connaught
mentioned, as bearing Brigid's name ; yet, we are not bound to believe, that
nunneries or churches were established in all such localities by the holy
\4rgin, nor during her lifetime. ^°° Many of these had probably been erected
at periods long subsequent ; and their dedication, either to her conventual
discipline, or possibly only under her invocation, may be fairly assumed, in
the majority of cases. The series of our saint's transactions has been con-
fused, and frequently inverted, by her different biographers. Dates or localities
for these narratives are not generally specified. With respect to the present
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. liv., the Franciscan order, but he deserved well
p. 558. Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. Ixxx., of Ireland in general,
P- 537. ibid. 98 xhere the saint is said to have dwelt in
9' In the Fourth Life. the plain of "Air." In a note Colgan adds,
9' In Colgan's time, it was called, Ma- that in the Irish language, it is called,
chaire Connacht ; and, in more ancient times, Maghair, i. <».,*' the plain of slaughter." In
Mag-ai. the Fourth Life, lib. i., cap. 49, we find
93 Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Quarta it placed in the province of Connaught,
Vita S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap. xlix., and n. where St. Brigid and St. Broniusare known
20, pp. 549, 564. to have dwelt, at the time of the occurrences
9* Kill-brigde, already mentioned, was a narrated. See "Trias Thaumaturga." Vita
chapel, in the parish of Kill-luckin. Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xciv., and n. 56, pp.
95 Druim-na-bfeadh was a parochial church, 539, 544, 545.
belonging to the diocese of Tuam, or other- 99 Telia, or the country about Ardagh, of
wise, of Elphin. vhich St. Mel was bishop, having been par-
9^ Disert and Druimdhain were parochial ticularly mentioned as a district travelled by
churches, belonging to the diocese of El- our saint, her frequent interviews with that
phin. See " Trias Thaumaturga." Appendix prelate may have given rise to an opinion,
Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. xvi,, pp. that she received the religious veil, at his
624, 625. hands.
97 In each of these places, St. Brigid was ^°° See the observations of Dr. Lanigan on
venerated, as the special patroness, accord- this subject, and on matters preceding, in
ing to a catalogue of churches, in Elphin his "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol.
diocese, sent to Colgan, by the Most Rev. i., chap, viii., § iv., and nn. 53, 60, pp.
Boetius Egan, Bishop of Elphin. This 389, 390, 391,
worthy prelate was not only an ornament to
90 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
journey of our saint to Connaught, as in the other cases, Brigid and her
companions, in travelHng from one place to another, were often obliged to
lodge at private houses. ^°'
While our saint remained in this part of the country, one day sheTwent
to receive the Holy Eucharist, from a certain bishop. ^^^ One of the clergy
held the chalice, from which our saint refused to drink, on beholding within
it the vision of a monster. The bishop demanded a reason for her refusal,
and on being informed, he asked the assistant cleric, what crime he had
committed, urging him at the same time to confess his sin, and glorify God.
The cleric^°3 humbly confessed, that he had partaken of what had been
stolen. The prelate then requested him to repent. On complying with this
injunction, penitently weeping, our saint approached to partake of the chalice,
and Brigid found the monster had disappeared. Thus the tears of this cleric
procured pardon for his offence; while, the virgin and the bishop retired rejoic-
mg from the church, after having been refreshed with our Lord's body and
blood. '°+ At another time, a certain aged woman had a dangerous infirmity,
and Brigid, with many holy women of the place, visited her, to watch and
pray by her bedside. When this sick person was at the point of death, some
of her attendants suggested, that her better or superfluous garments might
be removed, before departure, and especially to save the trouble of after-
wards washing them at a very cold time of the year. But, St. Brigid would
not consent to this course, saying, the patient should not live long, and that
it was not charitable, to take away those garments she wore, as a protection
from that season's inclemency. '°5 All who were there admired the saint's
charity, and returned thanks to God.'°*^ We are told, also, that when St.
Brigid dwelt in this part of the country, she was often accustomed to seek a
pool of cold water, near the monastery. ^°7 There she remained immersed,
while she prayed and wept during the whole night. This rigorous mortifi-
cation at one time she endured, while snow and frost prevailed, and in pre-
sence of one from among her sisterhood. But, as this rough corporal treat-
ment surpassed the powers of nature to endure, for any continued length of
time ; so, it pleased the goodness and mercy of God to prevent it, by a
miracle. On a night immediately following the occurrence related, Brigid
went with the same companion to renew like austerities, but on arriving at
the pond, it was found to have become completely dry, nothing appearing
but the exposed bottom sands. Surprised at this occurrence, the virgins re-
turned home ; yet, at the earliest hour of day-break, on the following morn-
ing, its waters were found to have returned to their usual level in the lough.
"' The missionary state of things at the under both species. We have also warrant
time warrants such a supposition. for the Catholic dogmas of the Real Pre-
*°* In D. Giacomo Certani's account, he sence and Sacramental Confession, prevail-
is called Bishop Bron. See " La Santitk ing in the early Irish Church, from thefore-
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." going narrative.
Libro Quinto, pp. 408 to 410. '°5 gee Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's
'°3ln Certanis account he is called a "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Bri-
deacon. gida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 410 to
"♦ Such is the narrative as given in the 412.
Fourth Life of our saint. An account in '°* In giving an account of this circum-
the Third Life is nearly similar, only we stance, our saint is said to have wrought a
are told in this latter, that one of the bishop's miracle, recorded in the Third Life. It is
boys held the chalice In the former, it is also mentioned in the Vita Sexta S. BrigidJB,
said, "unus tunc deministrisChristi tenebat § Ivii., p. 594,
calicem." It would seem from this anec- '°7 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's
dote, according to the primitive discipline "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Bri-
ef the Irish Church, in St. Brigid's time, gida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 412 to
that Holy Communion had been received 417.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 91
St. Brigid resolved the third night similarly to repeat her practice, when a
similar disappearance of the waters took place on her approach. These waters
returned to the bed of that lough early on the following morning. Almighty
power was pleased to work such a miracle, on account of God's holy servant.
Always pleasing in his sight, as the beloved disciple, St. John, Brigid had
been delivered from impending torture and death. A knowledge of this
event, also, caused all persons to extol those wondrous favours of Heaven
manifested towards the holy abbess, who was entreated by her friends to re-
strain her mortifications, because they seemed to be providentially discou-
raged. Coinciding in a like opinion, Brigid yielded her own desires to these
urgent requests, after such Divine warnings. '°^
Following nearly the order of events, henceforward, as recorded in the
Fourth Life of our saint — although it is by no means certain, that the series
of her actions as given in the Third Life might not, on the whole, be more
strictly chronological and consecutive — it will be necessary, mainly to
accommodate those narratives contained in her other lives, to accounts com-
prised in the Second Book.^°9 By adopting this course, we are brought im-
mediately to the foundation of her great religious establishment at Kildare ;
and, from the most reliable chronological date, a considerable period must
have elapsed from the time of this erection to the year of her death. This
appears the more necessary, to give some degree of probability to accounts
regarding her various journeys in distant parts of the island, while promoting
the great objects of her mission. Sufficient time should thus be allowed for
accomplishing those excursions, and for the performance of many miracles,
attributed to her, in connexion with various localities. It is to be regretted,
however, that the places where they occurred are rarely mentioned, nor are
times usually specified, by any of her biographers.
While Brigid resided in the western province, the fame of her sanctity
became diffused all over Ireland. Numbers flocked from all parts to visit
her ; — some for the purpose of holding conferences or seeking advice on re-
ligious matters— others for the relief of corporal and physical necessities.
But the people of Leinster — especially those residing in the territory, where
she was born"° and had received her earliest education — conceived them-
selves best entitled to the honour and advantages to be derived, from the
holy virgin's local residence. Taking counsel together, they resolved on
sending a respectful request, through a deputation of her friends, that the
virgin might be induced to revisit her own province, there to found a reli-
gious house, which should become the parent establishment for her different
institutes, throughout the whole island. Having arrived in Connaught, this
deputation proceeded to unfold the object of their journey, and to enforce
their wishes by such reasons as they supposed should soonest determine her
acquiescence, in the unanimous opinion of those people whom they repre-
sented. Brigid yielded without much difficulty to their desires. Having
arranged matters, connected with her existing nunneries, in the western pro-
vince, she set out towards her better known district""
Returning to Leinster, she was obliged to cross the river Shannon,'" and
'°^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," "' See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His-
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. i., cap. 1., li., tory of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., § x., pp.
Hi., pp. 549, 550. Also, Vita Tertia S. 405,406.
Brigidse, cap. xcir., xcv., xcvi. p. 539, """ Intra quam Kelltra est conventus rite
ibid. virorum
'°9 Namely of St. Brigid's Fourth Life. Prudenium, sacro Benedicti dogmate
*'° This place, however, was not within florens."
the bounds of ancient Leinster ; if we credit So says the Sixth Life of our saint. The
most accounts. place here mentioned is situated between
93
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
we are told, that she came to a place called Ath-Liiain"3 for this purpose.
The present town of Athlone"^ probably marks the spot. This is situated
nearly in the centre of Ireland, being partly in the county of Roscommon,
and partly in that of Westmeath. It is thought to have derived its name
from Ath, an Irish word signifying " ford," and Lua?i, " the moon,""s to
which heathen deity it was said to have been dedicated in pagan times."^
Near it is Tobar-Brigdhe, on the Connaught side."7 Here, St. Brigid found
some people, respectively belonging to the province of Connaught and to
the race of Neill, contending with each other. The Shannon, the largest of
our Irish rivers, formed a boundary, between the ancient provinces of Meath
and Connaught. The former of these provinces belonged to the Hi Niell
family, because the southern O'Neills, or the posterity of Laogaire, Conall,
Crimtham,Fiach,and Manius,four sons to Niell the great, King of Ireland, were
its colonists. The companions of St. Brigid asked some ferry-men on the
river bank to take them across, but the boatmen demanded a fare for this
service."^ This demand the sisters refused to comply with, and they de-
clared their intention to walk across the river,"9 believing that through St.
Brigid's blessing the Almighty would preserve them, as he had formerly
opened a passage through the Red Sea and the river Jordan, for his ser-
the ancient territories of Thomond and Con-
naught. It is an island in the Shannon, now
called Inis-Keltra. The circumstance of the
Benedictine institute mentioned, as flourish-
ing there, at a time when the Sixth Life was
written, may furnish a clue to the period of
its composition. The foregoing Latin lines
are quoted by Archdall, who gives us no
account, however, regarding a Benedictine
institute having been here established. Yet,
he seems to refer its foundation to the
seventh or eighth century. See '* Monas-
ticon Hibernicum," p. 48.
"3 In Irish, it is called Athluain, a town
lying between the ancient bounds of Con-
naught and Meath, where the Shannon sepa-
rated both provinces. A bridge thrown
across the river afforded a passage long be-
fore Colgan's time, and at present, more
than one bridge spans the Shannon, at this
place. In the Latin lives of St, Brigid, it
is here said, that she came, " juxta vadum
Lua," or otherwise " vadi luain," as ex-
pressed in '* Quarta Vita S. Brigidae," lib.
li., cap. i.
^'< It seems unaccountable, when Marcus
Keane in his " Towers and Temples of An-
cient Ireland" alludes to St. Luan alias Mo-
lua — whom he identifies with a Pagan divi-
nity, the Moon— that the writer did not dis-
cover such fanciful derivation for the town,
and did not connect St. Luan in some way
with Ath-luain, which is missing from his
curious list of cognate localities. See pp.
59, 60.
"S A very interesting account of this town,
and the sieges it stood, first when Lieutenant-
General Douglas arrived before the place,
July 17th, 1690, and when a second time
General de Ginckell appeared before it, June
19th, 1 691, at the head of 27,000 men, are
presented in Charles Ffrench Blake Foster's
"Irish Chieftains; or a Struggle for the
Crown ; with numerous Notes and a copious
Appendix." Chap, xxi., pp. 166 to 168,
and chap. xxx. xxxi., pp. 208 to 220.
"^"The derivation of the name would
appear to be confirmed by the discovery of
several lunettes and crescents of gold in an
adjoining bog, which were sold to a Dublin
jeweller for £^$^, by whom they were
melted down. Had they been previously
examined by a clever antiquary, they would
most probably have thrown great light on
early Irish history, as I have been informed
that some of them bore inscriptions which
were unintelligible to the finders." — Ibid.,
note 86, p. 495.
"7Colgan informs us that on account of
many miracles wrought there, not only
Catholics, but those without the fold, were
accustomed to visit it, coming from the most
distant parts. Whereupon, the illustrious
Lord Randall MacDonnell, Count of An-
trim, distinguished as much for his Christian
piety as by his noble birth, had it surrounded
with handsome and firmly-pointed mason-
work. See '• Trias Thaumaturga," n. 44,
p. 544. It must be incorrectly stated by
Frazer, that the first Earl of Antrim in 1685
erected an old building, which encloses the
sacred fountain at Brideswell, in Roscom-
mon county, about six and a-half miles from
Athlone. Colgan, who mentions it, pub-
lished his work in 1647, many years pre-
vious. The inscription on a door-way over
the well must reveal some earlier date. See
•• Hand Book for Travellers in Ireland."
No. 105, p. 479.
"^ In the Third Life of our saint, it is
said, they asked for a cloak or a blanket,
belonging to these virgins, as a recompense
for the service required.
"' During very dry seasons, the Shannon
was formerly fordable at Athlone,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 93
vants."° Then they besought their holy abbess to make a sign of the cross
over the Shannon waters, that they might decrease, so as to become fordable.
This request she heard most favourably : with her sisters she entered the
river, and in presence of people belonging to both contending factions. To
the wonder and admiration of beholders, although without the aid of boats,
the strongest men and soldiers there assembled could not pass, it was found,
the waters did not reach the knees of this holy company of virgins, then
crossing. Before the saint and her companions entered the river, some
clerics, who had hired a small vessel, asked one of Brigid's nuns to accom-
pany them. She permitted a young and timid sister to cross the river before
her in that vessel."^ This virgin had previously asked the blessing of her
superioress, from whom she feared to be separated in crossing over ; and
Brigid said : *' Go in peace, the Lord will preserve you." But, in sight of
all, the bark sunk in the mid-stream, when, fearful of danger, the men invoked
aid from the holy abbess. Brigid blessed and prayed for her nun ; the
waves carried this sister safely to her destination, without even wetting her
garments. All, who were near the spot, gave glory to God, and lauded the
wonders it pleased Heaven to accomplish through the merits of our illus-
trious saint. "^ Yet greater moral miracles than these was she destined to
effect j and, filled with a happy inspiration, she directed her course to that
place, which aftenvards became inseparably connected with her heroic
actions while living, and with their memory, when she was called away to
her eternal reward.
CHAPTER VI.
KINGS OF IRELAND IN THE FOURTH AND FIFTH CENTURIES— CONDITION OF LEINSTER
AFTER THE MIDDLE OF THE FIFTH CENTURY — KILDARE— PERIOD WHEN SELECTED
BY ST. BRIGID FOR HER CHIEF MONASTERY— GRADUAL GROWTH AND IMPORTANCE
OF THE PLACE— INSTANCES OF HER PROTECTION.
The Annals of Ireland relate certain revolutionary changes, whereby the
supreme sovereignty passed from one family line to another, during the fourth
and fifth centuries. Ambitious and enterprising warriors aspired to rule the
island, as fortune or the force of circumstances favoured their designs.
After the middle of the fourth century,^ the monarch Eochaidh, surnamed
Muigh Mheadhoin,'' slew his predecessor, Caelbadh, a.d. 3 5 7,3 and afterwards
he reigned for eight years,^ when he died at Tara,5 a.d. 365.^ Twice had he
"° Exodus, xvi. 22. 3 This is set down to A.d. 353 in O'Ma-
»" See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an hony's Keating's "History of Ireland,"
Irish Priest, chap, v., pp. 65, 66. booki., chap, vii,, p. 367. He only reigned
"^ See Colgan's " JTrias Thaumaturga." one year. See Gratianus Lucius (Dr. John
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. i., ii., Lynch), "Cambrensis Eversus," vol. i,,
and n. i, pp. 550, 564. Vita Tertia S. Bri- chap, viii., pp. 492, 493. Rev. Dr. Kelly's
gidse, cap. xcvii., and n. 56, pp. 539, 545, edition.
ibid. Vita Sexta S. Brigidae, § Iviii., p. ■♦ See an account of this king and his
594, and n. 16, p, 598, ibid. epoch in O'Flaherty's *' Ogygia," pars, iii.,
Chap, vi, — ' In the following historical cap. Ixxix, Ixxx., pp. 373 to 380.
resume, we chiefly follow the chronology of s During his reign, it is said, St. Patrick
the Four Masters in the text. was carried as a captive into Hibemia.
=^ He received this name, rendered " Cam- See William M. Hennessy's "Chronicum
porum Amplificator," according to Dr. Scotorum," pp. 14, 15.
Charles O' Conor, probably because he was ^ Or A.M. 5564, according to the state-
an extender or improver of lands. See ment in Dr. John Lynch's " Cambrensis
" Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus Eversus," vol. i., chap, viii., pp. 492,493.
ii. Tigemachi Annales, pp. 72, 73. See Rev. Dr. Kelly's edition.
94
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [Februa r i.
been married. 7 Crimhthann,^ son of Fidhach, a warlike and an accomplished
prince, succeeded Eochaidh Muighmeadhoin. It is recorded, that he made
successful predatory inroads on the shores of France, Britain and Scotland,
from which countries he obtained tribute and submission, returning to Ire-
land with hostages and captives.9 After a reign of thirteen years, '° he is
said to have died of poison, administered by his own sister, Mongfinn."
Thus she hoped to obtain the succession for her favourite son Brian," as
Crimthaan died without issue ; but, in this expectation she was disappointed,
and her own death is said to have happened, about the same time, a.d. 378.
Her step-son, the celebrated Niall of the Nine Hostages,'3 next came on the
throne. This king commenced his reign, a.d. 379,''* and distinguished his
career by a series of brilliant and successful expeditions against the Alba-
nians, Britons, Picts and Gauls, from whom he carried away valuable spoils
and several captives. Among the latter, as generally supposed, was our
illustrious national saint, at a subsequent period destined by Divine Provi-
dence to become the great apostle of Ireland. It is said, that when Niall
arrived in Albyn or Albania, now Scotland, to assist the Dailriads of Irish
extraction against the incursions of the Picts, he changed the name of that
country to Scotia at their request. Scotland was thenceforward known as Scotia
Minor, to distinguish it from Ireland, which was denominated Scotia Major.
The reason why this heroic monarch received the name of Niall of the Nine
Hostages is said to have been owing to the circumstance of his having had
four noble hostages from Scotland, and five other distinguished pledges from
the different provinces of Ireland, confined at Tara. Yet, accounts are
somewhat discordant as to the nine regions from which these hostages were
taken. The people of Leinster are represented as having surrendered
7 This monarch had four sons by his first
wife Mongfinn,whowasdaughterto Fidhach,
of the royal family of Munster. Her sons
were : I. Bryan, ancestor of the O'Conors
of Connaught and their kindred ; 2. Fiachra,
ancestor of the O'Dowdas, O'Heynes and
O'Shaughnessys ; 3. Fearghus ; and 4.
OilioU, whose people were formerly located
in Tir-Oiliolla, now the barony of Tirerrill,
in the county of Sligo. By his second
wife, Carinna, a Saxon or Pictish lady, the
most illustrious of his sons, Niall of the
Nine Hostages, descended.
^ Crimthann ascended the throne A.D.
360, according to O'Mahony's Keating's
"History of Ireland," book i., chap, vii.,
p. 369, According to Tigernach, his
reign commenced about A. D. 366.
9 To his predatory excursions, Eumenius,
Claudian, Ammianus Marcellinus, Gildas,
and Venerable Bede, allude. Tnose raids
checked the Roman conquests in Britain,
but they so harrassed the Britons, that these
in turn were induced to call the Saxons to
protect them. This led to the settlement
of that warlike race in England. See John
D' Alton's " History of Irv-dand and Annals
of Boyle," vol. ii., pp. 55, 56.
" In the " Chronicum Scotorum," how-
ever, it is said he only reigned five years,
and died A.D. 376. See pp. 16, 17. Edited
by W. M. Hennessy.
" She appears to have been living at the
same time with Eochaidh Muigh Mheadh-
oin's second wife ; so that, she had either
been divorced by the monarch, or, as seems
likely enough, a plurality of wives was in
vogue among some of the Pagan Irish.
^*See O'Mahony's Keating's " History of
Ireland," book i., chap, vii., pp. 371, 372.
'3 Niall had fourteen sons, eight of whom
left issue : viz., I. Laeghaire, from whom
the O'Coindhealbhains or Kendellans of
Ui-Laeghaire are descended ; 2. Conall
Crimhthainne, from whom the O'Melagh-
lins are derived ; 3. Fiacha, the ancestor of
the MacGeoghegans and O'Molloys ; 4.
Maine, the progenitor of the O'Caharneys,
O'Breens and MacGawleys, with their co-
relatives in Teffia. All these sons setded
in Meath. The other four acquired exten-
sive possessions in Ulster, where they re-
sided : viz., I. Eoghan, ancestor of the
O'Neills and various kindred families; 2.
Conall Gulban, ancestor of the O'Donnells ;
3. Cairbre, whose posterity dwelt in the
barony of Carbury, in the present county of
Sligo, and in the barony of Granard in the
county of Longford ; 4. Enda Finn, whose
descendants settled in Tir-Enda of Tyr-
connell, and in Kinel-Enda, near the hill of
Uisneach, County Westmeath.
'* See Dr. Charles O'Conor's " Rerura
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii., p. 80.
In O'Mahony's Keating's " History of Ire-
land," the date for his accession is A.D.
577. See book i., chap, vii., p. 372.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 95
Eochaidh, son of Enna Ceinnseallach, king of the province, for a pledge of
their allegiance. This prince, however, contrived to escape from his guards,
and followed the King of Ireland on a warlike expedition. At the sea,
called Muir-n-Icht, between France and England, and supposed to have been
situated near the site of the present Boulogne, the Prince of Leinster assas-
sinated the warlike Niall, a.d. 405, after the latter monarch had reigned
gloriously, during the term of twenty-seven years. Other accounts have it,
that he was killed near the banks of the Loire. The posterity of this re-
nowned warrior were known as the northern and southern Hy-Niall, or
descendants of Niall. From this distinguished race, nearly all the kings of
Ireland derive their origin down to the twelfth century. 's Dathi, grandson
of the former monarch of Ireland, Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, succeeded.
This prince was remarkable for activity of body and a spirit of military ad-
venture. He pushed his conquests with great success in the territories of
France, where he was at length killed by a stroke of lightning at the Alps.
His body was carried home to Ireland, and interred with military honours at
Rathcroghan, where his grave was marked by a red pillar-stone, according to
the accounts contained in some old and trustworthy records. ^^ Dathi closed
his reign of twenty-three years, a.d. 428. He was immediately succeeded
by the last king who ruled over Pagan Ireland, Leaghaire,^7 son to Niall, the
hero of the Nine Hostages. During his reign, the illustrious St. Patrick
preached the Gospel in Ireland,^^ and it is probable, also, St. Brigid first saw
the light. This monarch's chief engagements were fought with the people
of Leinster. '9 When a reign of thirty years had been completed, Leaghaire,
who does not appear to have embraced the Christian religion, died, a.d.
458.^° He was succeeded by OilioU Molt,^^ son of Dathi. After a dis-
turbed reign of twenty years, during which he contended with the Leinster-
men, Oilioil was slain at the battle of Ocha, in Meath, a.d. 478, by Lughaidh,
son of Leaghaire, who succeeded.^^ It does not seem to be well established
that even this monarch had been a believer in the sublime truths of
^5 A very complete account of this mon- the Clarendon MSS., No. 4795, BibI, Harl.,
arch, and of the incidents during his reign, it is stated, that the illustrious future mis-
will be found in O'Mahony's Keating's sionary arrived in Ireland in the twelfth
*' History of Ireland," book i., chap, vii., year of this king's reign. See 7^/a'., tomus
pp. 372 to 394. iv., p. I.
^^See an illustration of the "Pillar of '9 Dr. Charles O'Conor, who supplies the
Dathi, Rathcroghan," with a description of hiatus in the "Annals of Tighernach,'*
Relig*na-ree, as also a ground plan of the assigns to A. D. 452 a great battle fought by
tumuli there, in *' Proceedings of the Royal King Laogaire against the Leinstermen.
Irish Academy," vol. i., series ii. ; a paper, See ibid., tomus ii., p. 109.
by Samuel Ferguson, LL.D,, " On Ancient ^° Yet the " Annales Buellani," or " An*
Cemeteries at Rathcroghan and elsewhere nals of Boyle," state that, at A.D. 460, a
in Ireland," read February 26, 1872, pp. fierce war was waged by Laegare Mac Neill,
114 to 118. and again at a.d. 465, that the Leinster-
^^ In John D' Alton's ** History of Ireland men fought against him at Atha-dara or the
and the Annals of Boyle," vol. ii., King "ford of the oaks," in which the monarch
Leogaire is stated to have begun his reign was made a prisoner, but afterwards ran-
A.D. 426 and to have ended it A.D. 470, somed, he swearing by the sun and wind,
thus giving him a rule of 44 years. See pp. that he should send them a number of oxen.
64, 69, See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum
'^The "Annales Inisfalenses," edited Scriptores," tomus ii., p. 2.
from the Bodleian MS. Rawlinson, No. 503, " His accession to the throne is placed at
state, that St. Patrick commenced his mis- A.D. 457 in O'Mahony's Keating's " His-
sion A.D. ccccxxxii., in the fourth year of tory of Ireland," book i., chap, vii., p.
"King Leagare meicc Neiir s xt\gr\. See Dr. 41 o.
Charles O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum "The date given for this event is A.D.
Scriptores," tomus ii., p, i. In an addition 477 by Keating. See ibid., p. 420. The
to the " Annales Ultonienses, ' found among Four Masters have A.D. 479.
96
LTVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS. [February t.
Christianity.=3 Some battles are on record during the rule of this king, who
was killed by a flash of lightning, a.d. 503, after holding the sovereignty of
Ireland for twenty-five years. '*
During the course of these foregoing public events, Enna or Endeus
Kinnselach, descended from Catheir Moxj^^ had founded the tribe and
district of Ui-Kinnselach, in South Leinster, to which he gave name.'''^ After
the father's death, his son Crimthann took possession of this inheritance,
and afterwards, it is thought, he was king over the whole of Leinster. This
warrior dynast^7 joined in a confederacy with Lugaid^^ son to the monarch
Leaghaire, Fiachra, Muircheartach Mac Earca, and Fearghus Cerbhell. The
Leinstermen were led by Crimthann, and the Dal-Araidhe^'^ by their Dynast
Fiachra. Different versions of their proceedings are given ; however, it is
generally allowed, that the supreme monarch, OilioU Molt, either gave or
was obliged to accept battle at Ocha, which is said to have been near The-
moria or Tara. This celebrated engagement took place, according to some
accounts, a.d. 478,3° while others defer it to a.d. 4823^ or 483.32 Crimthann
«3 "The Annals of the Four Masters" tell
us that St. Patrick died, A.D. 493, in the
fifteenth year of Lughaidh's reign, and that
he was buried at Down. See Dr. O'Dono-
van's edition, vol. i., pp. 154 to 159, with
accompanying notes.
'^ See the Author's " Catechism of Irish
History," Lesson v., pp. 33 to 37, and
Lesson vi., pp. 39 to 42.
=5 Gilla-mo-dudius, a historical writer of
deserved authority, says, that none of the
Leinster kings, after Cathair More, were
enumerated among the monarchs over Ire-
land. Gilla-mo-dudius wrote an esteemed
tract,'*On the Christian Monarchs of Ireland, "
extending from A.D. 431 to A.D. 1 143, where
his history ends. In the " Journal of the
Royal Historical and Archaeological Asso-
ciation of Ireland," there is an interesting
tract, translated and edited by J. O'Beime
Crowe, A.B., and No. ii. among his series,
'* Ancient Lake Legends of Ireland." It is
intituled: "The Vision of l athair Mor,
King of Leinster, and afterwai ds Monarch
of Ireland, foreboding the origin of Loch
Garman (Wexford Haven)." See vol. ii.
Fourth Series, No. 9, pp. 26 to 49. This is
edited from three different copies, taken re-
spectively from the Books of Leinster,
Lecan and Ballymote.
'^ See the Genealogies, which form Part
iii. of O'Mahony's Keating's " History of
Ireland," chap, x., pp. 693 to 697.
=7 There was a ' ' Catalogue of the Kings
of Ireland," by an anonymous author, to be
found in O'Malchonrian's book. This was
in Colgan's possession, and it thus gives the
names of Oilill's three principal opponents,
without making mention of Crimthann or
Lugad. It states, that after Olild Molt,
King of Ireland, and the son of Dathy, son
to Fiach, son of Eochaid Macmeadon, had
reigned twenty years, he was killed by
Murchertach, Fergus Kerrbheoil, and by
Fiach Lonn, the son of Caelbad, King of
Dalaradia. In the Acts of St. Kieran, how-
ever, this victory is attributed to Crimthann.
See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix., p.
460.
=^ Gilla-mo-dudius ascribes this victory
and carnage to Lugad, son to Laogaire, the
immediate successor of OiliU in the sove-
reignty of Ireland.
^9 "St. Beg mac De" or *' Beccus, son of
Dea," a celebrated Irish prophet, died in the
year 557. In a certain fragment of a work
he wrote, " On the Kings of Ireland," and
which is cited in the " Annals of the Four
Masters," at A.D. 478, regarding this battle,
the English translation runs : —
** The great battle of Ocha was fought
In which many battalions were cut off,
Against OilioU Molt, son of Nathi,
Who was defeated by the Dal-Araide."
See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., pp. 150,
151, andn. (f), ibid.
3° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp.. 148 to 1 5 1, with
accompanying notes. The '' Annates Inis-
falenses" place it at this year. See Dr.
Charles O Conor's " Rerum Hibernicanun
Scriptores," tomus ii., pp. 3, 4.
3' In the " Annales Ultonienses," at A.D.
482, the battle of Ocha is placed, and in
the following year 483 we have an account
of the " jugulatio"or murder of Crimthainn,
son of Enna Censelach, son to Bresal Belac,
King of Leinster. But, as if doubtful regard-
ing the date for both events, it is again
stated, after noting the first war atGranearad,
at A.D. 485, that it was probably there
Crimthann received his death-wound. See
ibid.f tomus iv., p. 7.
3' Ussher places it at this year. See
" Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates,"
cap. xvii., p. 490, and at "Index Chronolo-
gicus,"A.D. CCCCLXXXm,
February i.] LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS.
97
is related to have killed Oilioll Molt in this battle. 33 Moreover, in the
Acts of St. Kieran,34 it would appear to be stated, that this Crimthann ob-
tained supreme sovereignty over the country after the fight of Ocha.35
Doubtless, his power was great, and his influence was respected by the
supreme monarch who succeeded ; but, Crimthann himself does not seem to
have aspired to the sovereignty of Ireland. He survived this battle of
Ocha, as we might infer, only one year ; for, it is said, he received a mortal
wound in the battle ofGranaird, fought in the year 478,3^ yet, most strangely,
the very same authority defers his death to 480.37 Perhaps, he was instru-
mental in aiding St. Brigid to found her nunnery and church at Kildare,
while he was chief ruler over the Leinster province. 3^ His daughter Ethnea,
surnamed Huathach,39 is said to have been married to the religious -^ngus,
Prince of Munster, who had been baptized by St. Patrick.
When the illustrious lady reached the Leinster province, its chiefs and
people welcomed her with the liveliest demonstrations of respect and re-
joicing. She sought a spot, but slightly elevated over the surrounding ex-
tensive " plain of the Liffy.''4o There the ground was gently undulating and
fertile ; and, it is said to have been anciently styled, Druim Criadh, or " the
ridge of clay.^^i At this time, a large oak tree — a favourite with our saint,
and blessed by her — grew upon the spot. Its branches spread around, and
it must have been a remarkable natural feature of the landscapc^^ This
33 This is stated, in the old historical tract,
called " Borumha-Laighean. " It must be
observed, also, that as Crimthann was pre-
sent at Ocha battle, the " Annals of the
Four Masters" fall into an error, when they
state under A. D. 465, that Crimthann, son
of Enda-Censelach, King of Leinster, was
killed by the son of his own daughter, i.e.^
Eochaidh Guineach, [one] of the Ui-
Bairrche." Again, "The Annals of Clon-
macnoise" record, that Crimthann was killed
at the battle of Ard-corran. Yet the " An-
nates Inisfalenses" place his death at A.D.
CCCCLXXX., and afterwards note the " Bel-
lum Ardacoraind" at ccccxcvii. See Dr.
Charles O' Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomusii., pp. 4, 5. Again, the
** Annals of Ulster" place the battle of Arda
Corann or Mount Corann, and the death of
Lugdach, son of Laegaire, at A.D. 506 or
507. See z^i'iV/,, tomus iv., p, 11.
3* See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix.,
p. 460.
35 Dubtach O'Luguir, a disciple of St.
Patrick, who is said to have been present,
and an eye-witness of this battle, in a little
work, which he wrote on the Acts of this
same Crimthann. and which Colgan had in
his possession, bears similar testimony.
3^ According to the" Annals of Inisfallen,"
which, strangely enough, make two kings
of Leinster fall m this battle. One is named
Finchad, and the other Crimthann Censelach,
who killed Echad, and received himself a
mortal wound. Perhaps, the meaning is,
that both were kings or dynasts in Leinster ;
or that their supreme power alternated at
different times. Some writers state, accord-
ing to the same authority, that Meicc Eircc
Vol. II.
was victor in this battle, while others have
Coirpre as victor. See Dr. O'Conors *' Re-
rum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.,
p. 4.
37 See ibid. Perhaps he lingered on for
two years after being wounded.
3^ This Crimthann, who was present at
the battle of Ocha, in A.D. 478, or accord-
ing to other accounts in the years 482 or
483, might have been buried at or in Kil-
dare Monastery, which is supposed to have
been founded about, if notbelore, such era.
And this passage also strengthens the proof
that Crimthaim was not killed in A.D. 465.
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," nn.
8^9, 10, p. 565. Likewise, O'Donovan's
'* Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp.
146, 147, n. (r), ibid. And pp. 148 to 151,
nn. {d, e, f), ibid.
3^ See Colgan's "'Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap. xix.,
p. 460.
4° In Irish called, V(\a.% lipVii. The river
flows through a level country in Kildare.
41 See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Academy," vol. ix,. First Series. W. M.
Hennessy's paper "On the Curragh of Kil-
dare, "p. 349.
*'■' In one of his many fictions, Dempster
asserts, that Kildare derived its name from
a St. Daria, the mother of St. Ursula, who
brought certain relics to Ireland. See
" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum,"
lib. iv. Colgan remarks, that before Demp-
ster's time, no writer ever asserted these
relics were brought to Ireland, or that Kil-
dare derived its name from them. See
" Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Bri-
gidse, n. 23, p. 543.
H
9^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
site — now very much denuded of oak43 — was chosen by St. Brigid for her
projected conventual establishment. The local proprietor of this soil and
people living in the neighbourhood soon helped to provide a habitation for
their future patroness and for her religious sisters. It has been asserted, the
first church built there was constructed with wattles ;'»4 and, owing to the
circumstance of its having nesded under or near the large spreading tree, it
got the name Kildare,45 or " the cell of the oak."'*^ When the author of St.
Brigid's Fourth Life lived, the roots, or part of the trunk, belonging to this
venerable tree, remained--^? The adjoining plain of the Curragh is tradi-
tionally held to have been St. Brigid's pasture ground,-*^ to which she never
prevented the neighbouring people from sending their cattle.49 This is
thought to have been the origin of what still constitutes the popular right of
commonage. Various legendary stories connect St. Brigid and her nans
with its former proprietorship ; while, these are stated to have been engaged
in the pastoral occupation of tending herds and flocks on its plains. Portions
of the surface had probably been subjected to tillage, and this tract of land
afforded means for enabling the community to procure a subsistence. 5° The
Round Tower at Kildare and the adjoining ruins probably represent the
exact site of St. Brigid's early conventual establishment and of the church
connected with it The round tower is considered to be one of the finest
specimens of its class, as well as one of the most highly ornamented in
Ireland.51 The castellated top of the tower is modern. It is said there are
sundry vestiges of ancient work about the site of Kildare, but that these are
so incorporated with the buildings of Christian times, it is now difficult to
distinguish them.s^ At what particular period St. Brigid's establishment was
*3ln Miss Harriet Martineau's "Letters
from Ireland," the intelligent authoress, la-
menting the want of wood cultivation in the
island, alludes to the fine oaks, elms, ash
and beech, on the properties of LordDownes
and of the Duke of Leinster, in the great
plain of Kildare. See Letter vii. How
Ireland is to get back its woods, p. 5 1. Lon-
don : 1852, 8vo.
44 In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, pp. 33, 34, it is said, that while
one hundred horse-load of wattles passed
through Kildare, when Bishop Mel and
Brigid were there, she sent four of her
virgins to ask those wattles as a gift from
Ailill, son of Dunlaing. These he gave
her, and it was of them the great house of
Sancta Brigida in Kildare was made.
45 The derivation of Kildare county is
from Chille-dara or " the wood of oaks, "
according to Thomas James Rawson's " Sta-
tistical Survey of the County of Kildare," In-
troduction, p. i. He contends, it was an-
ciently called Caelan or Galen, i.e., "the
woody country," being formerly almost one
continuous wood, " the decay of which
produced the great extent of bogs, which
cover so much of the country at this day,
and by the quantity of timber, with which
they abound, bear incontestable marks of
their origin." See ibid., p. ii.
** " The very oak under which she de-
lighted to pray has given a name to the
place." Watkmson's " Survey of the South
of Ireland," Letter ix. , p. 92.
47 The same writer tells us, such was the
veneration in which it was held, that no one
dared to cut it with an iron instrument, al-
though many persons were accustomed to
remove portions of it with their hands.
These portions, however, were preserved as
relics. And, owing to St. Brigid's blessing,
it pleased the Almighty to accomplish mi-
racles, through the possession of these lig-
neous souvenirs. See Colgan's "Trias Thau-
maturga." Quarta Vita S. Brigida, lib. ii.,
cap. iii., p. 550.
^^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, she is represented as being with
her sheep, on the occasion when Neinidh
was first introduced to her notice, pp. 31,
32, and again as herding her sheep, when a
thief stole seven of them from her, pp. 41,42.
49 See an interesting paper on " The Cur-
ragh of Kildare," by William M. Hennessy,
M.R.I. A., read February 26th, 1866, before
the Royal Irish Academy. "Proceedings
of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. ix., First
Series, pp. 343 to 355.
5° This statement is inferred, from the
circumstance of her employing reapers, and
tending sheep. See Dr. Lanigan's "Ec-
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
chap, viii., § x., and nn. 120, 124, pp. 406,
408.
5' A representation of its door-way is
given in Marcus Keane's "Towers and
Temples of Ancient Ireland," p. 257.
5^ " An ancient cross stands in the church^
yard, and fragments of a second ; but, they
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 9$
founded there, has furnished a subject for discordant opinions. 53 From what
has been already stated, it would seem to be not altogether improbable, that
it had an earlier origin, than most historians have very generally assumed.
She may have commenced her buildings not very many years after a.d. 470.
Sir James Ware54 and Harris,55 0'Halloran,56 and Haverty57 refer the founda-
tion of her nunnery at Kildare to about the year 480. If we are to credit
what appears to be a purely legendary account, when St. Brigid brought
Bishop Mel with her to draw out the plan of her city, Ailill, son of Dun-
king, was king over Leinster. It is also stated, that he fed the builders and
paid their rightful wages.s^ Colgan was of opinion, that her convent might have
been before or about the year 483. Archdall writes, that her nunnery was
founded here before a.d. 484.59 About the latter year, John D' Alton states,^
St. Brigid founded both the nunnery and monastery at Kildare. However,
the first institute had undoubtedly the precedence of several years over the
latter establishment. The year 484 is the date given for St. Brigid's establish-
ment at Kildare, by William M. Hennessy,^' and by Thomas James Rawson.^^
Dr. Lanigan assigns it to about a.d. 487,^3 or at least to before the year
49o.*^4 He says, that if we are to believe what is said about St. Brigid having
foretold to Illand, King of North Leinster,^5 that he should be victorious in
his battles, one of which was that in which Aengus, King of Cashel, was
killed, the house at Kildare must have been established before a.d. 490.
For, she is spoken of as already settled there, and that was the year in which
Aengus fell.
The nunnery of Kildare, at first humble in size and pretensions,^^ and.
poorly endowed, in a great measure had been supported by eleemosynary
contributions, brought by people living in the neighbourhood. But, by
degrees, its reputation and the fame of its holy foundress became better
estabhshed. Many pious ladies desired admission to this house, which, in a
short time, became inconveniently crowded.^7 Soon there was a need for
are not very interesting specimens." — Ibid., Lewis, precedes this account of Kildare by
p. 421. Mr. D' Alton.
53 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta ^' See " Proceedings of the Royal Irish
Vita S. Brigidae, n. lo, p. 565. Academy," vol. ix. First Series. Paper
54 See Ware, " De Hibernia, et Antiquita- ** On the Curragh of Kildare," p. 349.
tibusejus, Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi., p. 146. ^*See " Statistical Survey of the County
55 See Harris' Ware, vol. ii., " Antiqui- of Kildare," Introduction, p. x.
ties of Ireland," chap, xxxviii., p. 269. ^3 This is inferred by him, considering that
There our saint is ranked among the ca- she had been in Munster, probably about
nonesses of St. Augustine's order. the year 484, and had spent some time after-
s'" St. Bridget founded her famous mo- wards in Connaught, before she lounded
nastery in Kildare, A. D. 480, for which she Kildare.
formed particular rules, and which was the ^'» See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
head of her order." — O'Halloran's " Ge- vol. i.. chap, viii., sec. x., p. 405.
neral History of Ireland,'' vol. ii., chap, vi., *s See n. 116, p. 407, ibid.
p. 45- *^ Dr. Lanigan justly observes, that in
57 See ** The History of Ireland, Ancient the Fourth Lite of our saint, book ii., chap.
and Modern," chap, ix., p. 79. 3, a distinction is made between the first
5* Thus runs the story in Professor O' Loo- cell, which had been assigned her, imme-
ney's Irish Life of St. Brigid. As a reward diately on arriving at Kildare, and the great
the holy abbess said the race of Ailill, son monastery, which she afterwards found it
of Dunlaing, should have the sovereignty necessary to build, in the same place. See
for ever." — pp. 33, 34. " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i.,
59 See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 323. chap, viii., sec. x., and n. 126, pp. 406, 408.
^See his article in " The Irish Penny ^7 See the statement regarding a vast num-
Magazine," vol. i.. No. 35. Illustrations ber of her spiritual daughters contained in
of Irish Topography, No. xxxv., p. 274. A Father Hugh Ward s " Dissertatio Historica
spirited wood engraving of the Round de Patria S. Rumoldi," sec. 10, p. 186.
Tower and Priory, from a sketch by F. R. Edited by Father Thomas O'Sheerin, O.S.F,
100 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
enlarging the original buildings. ^^ This concourse of devout women was
not confined to our saint's native province ; but, as has been remarked,'^^
persons of both sexes came in great numbers, from all the provmces of Ire-
land to her monastery. 70 To those strangers arriving on temporary visits,
she was accustomed to exercise the most liberal hospitality ; especially to-
wards church dignitaries and religious, who came to confer with her on
matters of religious concern. Numbers of persons, in the higher walks of
life, souglit her advice, and felt honoured by her notice. These individuals
never applied for the favour of her prayers, without obtaining a compliance
with their requests. Having, in due course of time laid foundations for a
large monastery, she proceeded with the work of its erection ; in which un-
dertaking, we may suppose, she met the willing co-operation and assistance of
the Leinster king and neighbouring people, who loved and revered this
noble virgin for her extraordinary virtues and merits. When completed, this
coenobium furnished accommodation to several pious females, living under
her rule. Afterwards, it became the parent nunnery of many houses, already
established by her, and subsequently built throughout our island. 7^^ It
would seem, that soon after the erection of her first monastery at Kildare,
Crimthann, King of Leinster, died, and obtained the rites of sepulture in or
near iu^
Numbers of infirm and poor flocked to Kildare, seeking relief from their
various necessities ; and many anecdotes are related, regarding the charities
of St. Brigid, especially towards this forlorn class of persons. With the course
of time, several houses began to appear around her religious establishment,
as it became necessary to provide for the necessities of those, who came from
a distance, or, who were brought from more immediate districts, to assist at
the pious exercises and public celebrations of her conventual institute. By
degrees, from being merely a village, Kildare became a very considerable
town ; and, at length, its habitations extended in number and size, so that it
ranked as a city, at a period somewhat later.73 St. Brigid traced out a line
of demarkation, likewise, around the city, within which boundary refuge was
to be obtained, by any fugitive ; and, his claim to protection was consequently
allowed, by all those, who respected the ordinances and memory of their lUus-
^ See Rev, S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of that she was called Hibernice Doniina, as we
the Saints," vol. ii., February 1st, p. 17. find her styled in the Fifth Life (cap. iii.)
^ By Cogilosus. And in the Rythm of St. Columba, com-
7"= Le Comte de Montalembert observes, posed in praise of her, she is called Regina.
** D'innombrables couvents de femmes font See " Trias Thaumaturga." Anagraphse
remonter leur ongine a I'abbesse de Kil- seu Epilogus Magnalium SanctK Brigida?,
dare." — "Les Moines d'Occident," tome ii., sec. xlvii., p. 639.
liv. ix., chap, i., p. 463. 72 See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"
7' Such had been the reputation of St. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse. " Et ipse mori-
Brigid for eminent sanctity, that Abbot Jo- ens sepultus est apud S. Brigidam in suo
annes de Bruxella or Mauburnus Livria- monasterio,"lib. ii., cap. xii.,p. 552- Such
cenis, in " Venatorio Canonicorum Regu- is the statement of the author — supposed to
larium," tells us, that a great number of be Animosus — and he was well acquainted
monasteries, and about thirteen thousand with the topography, history and traditions
nuns,flourished underthisholysuperior'srule. of Kildare.
So likewise, Benedictus Haeftenus cites this 73 " The reputation of her sanctity, and of
auvhoriiy, "Disquisition. Monasticarum," her power of working miracles, made Kil-
lib. i., tract 6. disqu. 3. Colgan thinks we dare so much frequented, that the many
must here understand, that if our saint pre- buildings erected about the nunnery, during
sided over so many nuns, she must have go- her life formed a town ; which in time be-
verned them, not in one house, but in dif- came so considerable as to be the place
ferent monasteries, spread throughout Ire- of the Cathedral and of the Episcopal See."
land, she being superior over all that ob- — Warner's " History of Ireland,' vol. i.^
served the Rule, which she is said to have book vii., p. 321.
written. Hence, it must have happened,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, loi
trious civic foundress. 7^ It is also remarked, that Kildare was the metropolitan
see of Leinster, at two different periods. In the first instance, while St.
Brigid lived, in that city ; yet, afterwards during the time of Brandiibh, King
of Leinster, and about the year 578, the archiepiscopate is said to have been
transferred to Fems.^s It is uncertain, when it had been removed from the
latter place ; but, it is supposed to be sufficiently established as a fact, that
its withdrawal from Ferns did not occur until after St. Moling's death, 7^ in
the year 696.77 Again, it is assumed, that this dignity had been restored to
Kildare. before a.d. 1097, according to testimonies derived from our national
Annals.78 It }^as been inferred, 79 Hkewise, that the author of St. Brigid's
Fourth Life must have flourished, while Kildare was a metropolitan see —
not, however, at the first, but during the latter period. For, he adopts a
common opinion, that the bodies of Saints Brigid, Columkille and Patrick
were deposited in a common tomb, at Down, in Ulster. ^°
Soon did the people living around her convent begin to experience the
protection afforded by Brigid's presence among them. On the eve of a
certain solemnity, while she lived in the " Cell of the Oak,"^' a certain young
maiden, who appears to have been her proiei^e, brought an offering for her
patroness. On presenting this gift, the maiden remarked, that she should
be obliged to return home immediately, to take charge of her parents' house
and flocks. Her father and mother desired to spend that holy vigil at Kil-
dare. The abbess told their daughter to remain, and that her parents should
come after her, while the Almighty would protect their temporal substance.
According to St. Brigid's prediction, the maiden's parents followed her, and
together all the family celebrated this festival. ^^ However, certain thieves,
taking advantage of their absence, came in the middle of the night and stole
away their cattle. These they drove towards the Liffey. This river was
found to have been so greatly swollen, that the water flowed over its banks.
The robbers laboured in vain, during a great part of the night, to urge the
terrified cattle through this flood. Then, taking off their garments, which
with other effects they tied with cords to the horns of the cattle, those free-
74 See Cogitosus, ** Vita S. Brigidas," cap. Mac-an-tsaeir Ua Brolchain,a]earned doctor,
xiv. Bishop of Kildare and of Leinster, died.
75 For such statements, Colgan refers to And, at the year mo, departed " Feardom-
Cogitosus, in his Prologue to the Life of St. hnach, the most distinguished of the senior
Brigid ; also to chap. 36 of the same Life ; jurisconsults, [and] lector of Cill-dara."
and to his own affixed notes I, 18 ; to Ussher See O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
in his " Primordia Ecclesiarum Britanni- Masters," vol. ii., pp. 954, 955, 988, 989.
carura," cap. xvii,, p. 965 ; and to the This latter appears to have been successor
author of St. Brigid's Fourth Life, lib. ii., to the former in the see of Kildare ; for, in
cap. 3. Ussher's " Veterum Epistolarum Hibemi-
7* It appears, from the Life of St. Moling, carum Sylloge," epist. 34, we find the name
whose festival occurs at the 17th of June, Ferdomnachus Episcopus Lageniensium
that this saint had been constituted Arch- subscribed to an epistle, written by the
bishop of Leinster, in the see of Ferns, by people of Waterford to Anslem, Archbishop
Brandubh, son of Eathach, King of Leinster. of Canterbury. See pp. 91 to 93.
77 According to the "Annals of the Four 7' By Colgan.
Masters," St. Maedhog, first bishop of ^° See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Ferns, died a.d. 624 ; St. Dachu Luachra, Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xxx.,
Abbot of Ferns, died A.D. 652; Tuenog, xcix., pp. 554, 562, 563, and nn. 13, 14,
Abbot of Ferns, died 662 ; Maeldoghar, pp. 565, .566, ibid.
Bishop of Ferns, died 676 ; Diraith, Bishop ^' This is the English nomenclature of the
of Ferns, died 690 ; and St. Moling Luachra, Latinized Kildaria, and Cill Dara, in Irish.
Bishop of Ferns, died 696. See O'Dono- C^o// or A7// signifies "a cell," and Dara,
van's Edition, vol. i., pp. 246 to 249, 264, "the oak," or its genitive case "of the
265, 272, 273, 284, 285, 294, 295, 298, oak."
299. 8=^ See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
^^ At 1097, we read, that Maelbrighde the Saints," vol. ii., February 1st, p. 19.
loa LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
booters intended to swim across the river, when the animals should be
urged into its waters. The cattle directed their course towards St. Brigid's
monastery, instead of that place, whither it had been intended to drive
them.^3 The robbers followed after hoping to secure their prey. To the
great confusion of these thieves, at day-break their guilt was manifested to
many, who knew them personally. They made an humble confession of
their sins, however, in Kildare, at the instance of St. Brigid.^^ The owners
of the herd drove their cattle homewards, and thus, according to our saint's
prophecy, their substance was preserved ; while both the perpetrators of and
sufferers from an intended injury acknowledged the interposition of Divine
Providence, in such a remarkable incident. ^s
Again, on the eve of a festival, a girl brought alms to St. Brigid. De-
livering her gift, she said, it would be necessary to return towards her home,
as her foster-father, an old and a paralytic man, had been left alone, nor had
he any person to care the house or milk his cows. Brigid counselled her to
remain there, however, for that night. Her visitor did so, and returned
home on the following day, after having received Holy Eucharist. The
cows and calves were found feeding apart in the fields, nor did the former
seem to suffer in the least degree, as a consequence of their not having been
milked. The old man acknowledged, likewise, that during the night his
foster-daughter dwelt with our saint, the cattle continued to feed on their
pasturage, while he remained awake the whole time since her departure.^*^
This did not seem to extend beyond the interval of a single hour. It was
a mystery, only known to the Almighty, who had thus miraculously disposed
the result.^7
On a particular day, certain insolent and idle ruffians approached our
saint. Wearing diabolical badges on their heads, they intended the death of
a particular person. These miscreants asked — it is probable in mockery —
a blessing from Brigid, and she, in her turn, requested them to put away their
emblems. This, however, they refused to do. Seeing the form of badge
adopted, our pious abbess was shocked ; nevertheless, she marked them with
a sign of the cross, not for the purpose of blessing them, but to counteract
those designs entertained against their fellow-creatures. The rufhans de-
parted with their brutal instincts aroused. Finding a poor man on their
way, they attacked, murdered, and afterwards, as they thought, beheaded
him. However, this turned out to be their phantasy, for that man escaped
unhurt and through the midst of his enemies until he reached his own house.
After a close investigation, these persecutors found neither his head, nor
body, nor any traces of blood. Wherefore they said to each other : " A
'3 This account is contained in Professor Vita S. Brigidse, sec. 27, p. 516. Secunda
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 27, Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xvii., p. 520, ibid,
28. ^^ When relating this occurrence, in his
^* The foregoing narrative is very circum- usual manner, Abbate D. Giacomo Certani
stantially detailed in Abbate D. Giacomo compares the paralytic to those Northern
Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di people, mentioned by Olaus, lib. ii., cap.
S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 14, and whose eyes are accommodated to
27s to 279. see throughout the night. See " La Santit^
®s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. iv., Libro Quarto, pp. 279, 280.
PP- 550. 551- Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, .cap. ^7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
xlvii., pp. 531, 532, ibid. Sexta Vita S. Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. v., p.
Brigidae, sect, xxxvi., p. 589, ibid. It is 551. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap.
likely enough, from the similarity of most xlviii., p. 552, ibid. In the Metrical Life,
circumstances narrated, that the foregoing we are told, tnat the sun seemed to shine
narrative is only a different version of what without cessation, during the whole time of
is related in our saint's acts, by the authors this girl's absence from home. See Sexta
of her First and Second Lives. See Prima Vita S. Brigidae, sect, xxxvii., p. 590.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 103
miracle hath taken place, through the providence of God, and St. Brigid's
merits, for we have not killed this man, although the contrary seemed to
be the case." For a long time, the celebrity of this circumstance was noised
about through that part of the country. Those vagabonds afterwards laid
aside their emblems, and united in praising the Almighty, while magnifying
St. Brigid's extraordinary prerogatives.^^ The foregoing events, as related,^?
apparently occurred before St. Brigid took her journey into Munster with
Bishop Ere of Slane ;9o and therefore, we may deem it sufficiently probable,
she had been living at Kildare, antecedent to this excursion.
The social relations of men were often disturbed by violence and treachery
at that early period. A chieftain, who lived in the plain of the Liffey, came
towards our saint, asking her blessing. This the holy virgin specially be-
stowed on him. With great joy, the chief returned to his castle. But during
the night, a daring and hostile man entered the fort, while its occupants
were asleep. Taking a light from its candlestick,9^ he sought the slumbering
chieftain. He was found with a sword, laid on the pillow, beside him.
Seizing this sword of the chieftain, his enemy plunged it with great force
three several times, as he thought, into the owner's heart, and afterwards he
fled. The castle inmates aroused soon discovered what had taken place.
They sent forth loud cries and lamentations, supposing their chief had been
slain. The latter, however, seemed to awaken as it were from sleep, and it
was found the wound he received was not of a dangerous character. He
consoled his friends by saying : " Cease your lamentations, for St. Brigid's
blessing, which I obtained to-day, hath preserved me from this great danger."
The chieftain, to manifest his gratitude for that miraculous escape, visited St.
Brigid. thanking her and offering her valuable presents, on the following day.
Our saint established peace, afterwards, between the chief and that enemy,
who sought his life, as also among their posterity. This too was continued
for an indefinite period.92 Thus her mediation, through God's blessing, was
both effective and lasting. Can we doubt, therefore, as her protection over
her people was so powerful on earth, that it will be less exercised in heaven,
on behalf of those, who devoutly invoke her vigilant advocacy ? Too fre-
quently, alas ! do we forget the powerful assistance our great national saints
can render us before the throne of God.
^* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." and died A.D. $14." — Sir William Robert
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xl., Wilde's "Beauties of the Boyne, and its
p. 556. From the manner in which this Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, vii., p.
same occurrence is related, in our saint's 175.
Third Life, it would seem, that these dia- 9' In these, and like incidental notices,
bolical emblems subjected the bearers to we have some idea given regarding the do-
certain unchristian engagements or incanta- mestic economy of our ancestors, at least, at
tions. The signs, borne by those vagrants, the period, in which those documents relat-
in all probability, represented obscene or ing to ancient usages were composed,
monstrous figures, typifying certain hea- ^2 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
thenish superstitions. See Vita Tertia S. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xli.,
Brigidae, cap. Ixix., and n. 41, pp. 535, 544, p, 556. Our saint's Third Life states, that
ibid. I rather think this is the miracle al- thechief was accompanied bysome women —
luded to, in St. Brigid's First Life, section probably members of his family — and a re-
xxxiii., and in her Second Life, cap. xxiii. tinue, when he visited St. Brigid. It would
Colgan refers these latter accounts to the seem, that the castle in which he slept was
performance of a miracle, somewhat similar . not his own, as it is said to have been situ-
in details. ated on the road to his own domicile. See
^9 In the Third and Fourth Lives of the Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixx., p. 535,
saint. ibid.
90 Ere "was consecrated hj St. Patrick,
104 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
CHAPTER VII.
ST. BRIGID'S intimacy with ST. PATRICK— ARMAGH— FOUNDATION OF ST. BRIGID
THERE— HER MIRACLES— VISION REGARDING ST. PATRICK'S LAST RESTING-PLACE —
HER SPIRIT OF SUBLIME RECOLLECTION AND HER GREAT CHARITY— SHE DESIRES
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ROMAN RITE FOR IRELAND.
Although some doubts have been expressed, that St. Brigid could have
taken a very distinguished part in Irish Church affairs, during the Hfetime of
our venerable Apostle ; yet, to us, it seems perfectly reconcileable, not only
with our early narratives, but with received chronology, that the glorious
daughter of Erin might have had interviews with her illustrious director, both
before and after the time of her foundation at Kildare. To determine ex-
actly dates for the following written incidents is, however, a matter of great
difficulty. We must endeavour conjecturally to place them in their order of
occurrence, so far as probabilities will allow us to continue. Perhaps, the
arrangement, with better lights of view, might admit of various alterations
or adaptations. After certain miraculous occurrences, related in her acts,
took place — the date or locality unnoted — it is said our saint went towards
the northern part of Ireland, accompanied by St. Patrick. ' On a certain
day, while the great Irish Apostle in the plain of Lemhuin^ preached God's
holy word from a hilP to the people there, at a place called Einnabhair,'^ or
"the- white field," St. Brigid slept. She was probably very young at this time.
After his sermon had been concluded,5 St. Patrick asked her why she had
fallen asleep while the sacred word of God was announced.^ Then the
humble virgin, on her knees, asked his pardon. She said : " O father, for-
give me ; O most pious Lord, spare me, for during this hour, I have had a
vision." The illustrious missionary desired her to tell what she had seen.
Whereupon, the devout virgin announced : " I, your servant, have beheld
four ploughs, ploughing the whole of Ireland, while sowers were scattering
seed.7 This latter immediately sprung up and began to ripen, when rivulets
of fresh milk filled the furrows, while the sowers themselves were clothed in
white garments. After this, I saw others plough, and those who ploughed
appeared black.^ They destroyed, with their plough-shares, the growing
Chapter vii.— ' See Colgan's "Trias 150, and n. 11, p. 184.
Thaumaturga, " Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, s The Acts of St. Patrick relate, that this
cap. Ivii., p. 533. Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, sermon lasted three days and three nights,
lib. ii., cap. xxvii., pp. 553, 554. at the hill of Finnabhair at Lemhuin. It
"The fort of Augher and the village of was in the county of Tyrone and d.ocese of
Ballygawley are in it. Clogher lay on its Clogher. The River Blackwater ran through
western and the church of Errigle-Keeroge it. Finnabhair is now corrui)tly called Fin-
on its northern boundary. Its other name, dermore, a townland in the parish and ba-
Clossach, is frequently mentioned in O'Mel- rony of Clogher. See '* Ordnance Survey
lan's Irish "Journal of the Wars of 1641 ;" Townland Maps for the County of Tyrone,"
in Colton's " Visitation," p. 126 ; in the Sheets 58, 64.
••Book of Rights," p. 152 ; in the "Irish ^ To Brigid, it is said, the time of the
Topographical Poems" of O'Dugan and sermon did not seem to be more than one
O'Huidhrin, p. xxi., n. (119). See Miss hour.
M. F. Cusack's " Life of St. Patrick, 7 In the Sixth Metrical Life of St. Brigid,
Apostle of Ireland," p. 451, n. 2. it is stated, the white sowers came from the
3 So the Seventh Life of St. Patrick East,
states. * 8 In her Sixth Metrical Life, in Colgan's
*See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," ** Trias Thaumaturga," St. Brigid is made
Joceline's or Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. to say : —
xcvi., pp. 86, 87, and n. 105, p. 113. This ,, ^. . , ^ , ^ , . .
place was situated in the ancient territory of Conspexi populos septem de parte trioms,
Liemania, sometimes called Magh-Lemna, ^'S"^ ,?""^ \^oy^\^^x^ vementes vultibus
or Clossach, by others. See ibid., Septima atns.
Vita S. Patricii, pars, iii., cap. iv., pp. 149, — Sexta Vita S. Brigidae, sec. Ixv., p. 595,
February i.] LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
105
corn ; and, they sowed tares, which filled the furrows."^ The Irish Apostle
then said to our saint : " O holy virgin, you have beheld a true and wonder-
ful vision. This is its interpretation. We are the good ploughers, who,
with the shares of the four Gospels, cultivate human hearts, and sow God's
words, while those rivers, containing the milk of Christian faith, proceed from
our labours. But, towards the end of this world, bad teachers shall preach
to depraved generations, who will receive them.*° Those teachers" shall
destroy our instructions, and shall seduce nearly the whole human race.""
Brigid also had a vision regarding the two sons of Eochaidh,'3 son of Crim-
thann,'* at the same place. 's The elder of these, named Bressal, was re-
presented by the figure of a large stone, wasting away under falling showers ;
while, the younger, Carbre, svirnamed Damhairgid, was denoted by a smaller
stone, which increased, and sent forth bright sparks, as the rain fell.'^ St.
Patrick interpreted this to mean, that the rain represented the shower of
celestial grace, falling in vain on the unbeliever Bressal, while, its dews, de-
scending on the believer Carbre,^? signified an increase to him of blessings
for the future.'^ Hereupon, those who were then present, with St. Patrick
and St. Brigid, praised Almighty God. '9 A synod had been convened at
this place.^° The degeneracy of Christian feeling and practice, during sub-
sequent times, as also the efforts of heretical and false teachers to pervert the
9 In the Acts of St. Patrick, we find the
following additional particulars described in
her vision : — " And after that, I saw spotted
and motley-coloured oxen, then wild and
black animals. After these I saw sheep
and swine and wolves and dogs contending
with one another." See Rev. S. Baring-
Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii.,
February I, p. 21.
'° St. Patrick describes the evil teachers
as —
** Pastores cupidi, qui plus sua lucra se-
quentur,
Non frumenta satis, sed lolia subdere
sulcis
Curabunt," &c.
— See Vita Sexta S. Brigidce, sec. Ixv., p.
395. Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." This
metrical account was supplied from a MS.
in the library of his Emmence Cardinal
Antonio Barberini, p. 1062, being wanting
in the Monte Casino MS.
^* They are called deluders and hypocrites
in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St.
Brigid, pp. 29, 30.
'^ The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, a clergyman
of the Anglican Church, calls the foregoing
a remarkable prophecy regarding "the
miserable apostasy of the so-called Refor-
mation."— " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii.,
February I, p. 21.
^3 Eochaidh was prince of Oirgallia. Thus,
Aubrey de Vere alludes to him, in the poem,
*' Saint Patrick and King Eochaidh" : —
** Eochaidh, son of Cruimther, reigned, a
king
Northward in Clochar."
— "Legends of St. Patrick," p. 149.
^4 Crimthann was son to Fieg, son of
Deadad, son to Rochad, son of Colla Dach-
rioch, according to the " Sanctilogic Ge-
nealogy," chap. xiii.
'5 " I saw subsequently two stones, one
little and the other big. A drop was shed
on each of them. The little stone increased
at the 'drop,' and silvery sparks burst
from it. The large stone withered, more-
over." These words of Brigid, St. Patrick
interpreted to mean Cairpre Damhairgit,
who believed and was blessed with his seed,
and Bresal, who refused to believe, when a
malediction was pronounced against him.
See Miss Mary F. Cusack's "Life of St.
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," p. 452.
^'' See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"
Septima Vila S. Patricii, pars, iii., cap. vi.,
and n. 12, pp. 150, 184.
'7 Among the posterity of Carbry,
blessed by St. Patrick, we find enumerated
there, St. Endteus of Aran, St. Fanchea,
St. Teganus, St. Darenia, and St. Lochina,
sisters to St. Endseus, St. Beg Mac De, with
many other saints. See Colgan's "Acta
Sanctorum Hibemise," xxi. Martii, Ap-
pendix ad Vitam S. Endaei, cap. iv., pp.
713, 714.
^«Only the writer of St. Brigid's Sixth
Life mentions this vision of the saint in her
Actb. See Colgan's * ' Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec Ixvi., andn. 17,
pp. 595. 598.
^9 See ibid.. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib.
ii., cap. xxvii., pp. 553, 554. Vita Tertia
S. BrigidiE, cap. Ivii., p. 533, ibid.
'° According to some accounts, St. Patrick
is said to have held nearly sixty synods in
Ireland. See Villaneuva's " Sancti Pa-
tricii, Ibernorum Apostoli, Synodi, Ca-
nones, Opuscula," &c., pp. 7, 8.
lo6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February j.
minds and principles of the faithful in Ireland,^^ have been popularly be-
lieved to furnish the correct interpretation for this remarkable Brigitine
vision.
It is probable, Lemhuin and Finnabhair are the places alluded to, where
St. Patrick and St. Brigid, with their religious, are said to have been assem-
bled at a time the holy Apostle of Ireland did not cease giving instructions
to the people, for three whole days and three nights.^*^ The sun continued
shining, as we are told ; however, during this protracted sermon, the auditors
supposed, that not more than an hour had elapsed. One man only had a
knowledge regarding what length of time had been spent in this place. On
approaching, he asked the holy Bishop, why he had remained there for so
long an interval. The Apostle asked him what time had elapsed, and was
then told a duration, equal to three days and as many nights. Then said
the holy father : " For forty days and nights, we should have remained here,
had not a stranger warned us about our delay, nor should we have experi-
enced fatigue nor hunger, through the Divine clemency." Afterwards, St,
Patrick and St. Brigid returned to their respective districts. =^3 Those are
not specified ; but, it may be, St. Patrick proceeded on his missionary career
through Ulster, while Brigid returned to her home or convent in Meath or
Leinster.'4
It is related, that Brigid visited Armagh, most probably after she had
established her parent house at Kildare. She always desired the wise counsel
of St. Patrick.^5 it may not be unlikely, this journey was undertaken at
the special request of the Irish Apostle himself He intended Armagh to be
the seat of ecclesiastical rule ; and, here he is said to have built, not alone
his cathedral church, ^"^ but likewise, several other religious houses.^'^ What
could be more desirable, than founding a holy institute, where his fervent
female converts could find a happy retreat and a career of Christian useful-
ness ? Who could be chosen more capable of teaching nuns, both by word
and example, than the zealous and energetic Abbess of Kildare ?^^ If we
are to believe a modern compilation, St. Patrick founded Temple Brigid in
this city of Armagh.^s It seems more likely, that the Regies Brighde, or St.
Bride's Church, if founded during his lifetime, had been also the joint con-
cern of St. Brigid, to accommodate some religious daughters, belonging to her
order. Long after her decease, the coarbs. of the Regies Brighde,3° are men-
" See the foregoing narative produced in this place, A.D. 455, to St. Binen ; and that
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santit^ he died at Saul or Sabhal, A.D. 493. See
Prodigiosa, Vitadi S. Brigida Ibernese." chap, i., pp. 82, 84, 85.
Libro Quarto, pp. 323 to 326. ="7 An inexact historical compiler aflfinns,
" See Abbate Giacomo Certani's ** La that St. Patrick founded an abbey at Ar-
Santit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida magh for regular Canons of St. Augustine's
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 326, 327. order, in 445 or 457. See Sir Charles
'3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Coote's " Statistical Survey of the County
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxiii. of Armagh," Appendix, p. 29.
p. 555. In the Third Life of our saint, ''^ We are informed, that "she was in-
this sermon was preached, it is stated, at vited to come and form establishments in
the request of St. Brigid. See Vita Tertia various districts." — Rev. M. J. Brenan's
S. Brigidae, cap. Ixiii., p. 534. Ibid. "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," chap.
'^The foregoing incidents are probably iii., p. 51.
referable to St. Brigid's earliest interviews =9 See Sir Charles Coote's "Statistical
with St. Patrick. Survey of the County of Armagh," Ap-
»sSee "The Life of St. Brigid," by an pendix, p. 30.
Irish Priest, chap, vii., pp, 87, 88. 30 in Irish, tlejlef btM^-oe. This little
"* James Stuart, A.B., who has published conventual church was outside the rath. Its
" Historical Memoirs of the City of Ar- situation is marked on the Map of the Citv
magh," states, that St. Patrick built a ca- of Armagh, constructed on J. Roque s
thedral and some other religious edifices Map of 1760, and R. Levingstone's Survey
there, A.D. 445 ; that he held a synod there, of 1767, prefixed to the Rev. Wm. Reeves'
A.D. 448 ; that he resigned the bishopric of "Ancient Churches of Armagh," sec. v.,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
107
lioned in our annals.3^ Now St. Bride's shares its honours with a paddockJ^
From the expression coarb,^^ or abbatial successor, we may conclude that,
though small, it was a religious house which might have traced back its
origin to the era of its reputed founder. 34 In 1179, the Regies Brighde
and the Teampull-na-Fearta35 escaped a wide-spread conflagration,36 which
consumed the greater part of Armagh. 37 In 11 89, however, Armagh was
burned from St. Brigid's cross to the Regies Brighde.38 The occupants of
the nunnery here were possibly of St. Brigid's order, and observants of her
rule, from the earliest period.39 Two townlands belonging to it, at one time,
paid a rental of four shillings a year. 4° Afterwards, these endowments seem
to have been absorbed in some more powerful interest ; for, at the period of
the suppression of religious houses, its sole possessions were the building
and the surrounding premises, which occupied about one acre.^^ At the time
of the dissolution42 it was a nunnery, and possibly a cell of Templefertagh ; for,
in inquisitions and patents, both are coupled, and they have changed hands
in company ever since.43 The precincts of Templebreed occupy an irregular
space, situated to the south-east of the Protestant cathedral, at Armagh, and
having frontage in the middle, at the south side of Castle-street.44 The
old Catholic chapel stands on the south-west bound, and the site of Temple-
breed lies about thirty yards north-east of the near end of the chapel.45 An
ancient cemetery adjoined the nunnery. 4^ The historian of Armagh cor-
rectly identifies Teampull na Fearta with the Dobbin holding ;47 yet, strange
to say, elsewhere, he professes his inability to determine its position.48 Like
p. 25. Printed for the Author, Lusk :
MDCCCLX, small 8vo.
3' The " Annals of Ulster" and " Annals
of the Four Masters" record atA.D, 1085.
the death of Gormgeal Loighseach. See
Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
tores," tomusiii., p. 648, and tomus iv. p.
350. In the former Annals, the Latinized
rendering is " Vicaria Ecclesise S. Brigidse
in Ardmacha, sapiens intelligentia et pie-
tate." In the "Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," *' Gormgalus Lagisiensis Vicarius Ec-
clesise Brigidse in Ardmacha, sapiens sci-
entia et religione."
3' See Rev. William Reeves' "Ancient
Churches of Armagh," p. 3.
33 The word coarb is applied to the suc-
cessor or representative of the patron saint,
or original founder of a monastery, priory,
or any ecclesiastical establishment, or to the
successor of a bishop. See Owen Connel-
lan's and Philip MacDermott's "Annals of
Ireland, translated from the original Irish
of the Four Masters," n. 2, p, i.
34 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' "Ancient
Churches of Armagh," sec. v., p. 25.
33 This is represented as having been the
present Scotch-street, supposed by Dr.
Reeves to have been called Templefartagh-
street in the time of King Charles II. See
ibid., sec. i., p. ii.
3* See Rev. Robert King's "Memoir in-
troductory to the early History of the Pri-
macy of Armagh," p. iii.
37 Probably on account of their position
outside the rath, and the densely-occupied
portion of the town.
3^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iii., pp. 84, 85.
39 See Rev. William Reeves' "Ancient
Churches of Armagh," sec. i., p. 10.
/"According to Primate Dowdall's Re-
gister of the See of Armagh.
4' An inquisition of 1612, finds that this
was a nunnery. Ultonia Inq. Armagh, No.
3, James I.
42 Then it was occupied by a singer, or
"cantator," who resided in said monastery,
place, or house, called Templebreed.
43 Both lots, known as the two Abbey
Courts, or the Earl of Anglesey's Liberty,
were assigned by lease in 1799, and this
was converted into fee by the late Leonard
Dobbin, Esq.
44 The nunnery enclosure extended back-
wards down the slope, south and south-east,
to near, but not touching, Thomas-street.
43 On the Castle-street frontage of St.
Brigid's ground stood the old castellated house
which gave name to the street. It was an-
ciently called Port-Rath or Rath- Armagh,
and occasionally Rathene. See Stuart's
" Historical Memoir of the City of Armagh,"
chap, v., p. 144.
4^ See the "Dublin Penny Journal," for
notice of an ancient bronze seal belonging
to a former Dean of Armagh, vol. ii., p.
112. This communication of the late John
Corry, the truest antiquary Armagh ever
produced, is accompanied by an illustration.
The seal was found on the site of Temple
Brigid.
47 See " Historical Memoirs of the City
of Armagh." chap, xxvi., pp. 511, 512, 514.
'''^'Stt ibid., chap, i., pp. 83, 87, and in
the Appendices vi. and vii. Stuart conjec-
tures, that it was at an old abbey, used as a
cemetery in the early part of the last cen-
Io8
LIVES OJP THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i.
many other cathedral cities, Armagh sprung up and extended around its
minster church. It likewise grew by degrees into beauty of design and
appearance.'*^ Incomparably fine and picturesque views of it are furnished
City of Armagh, from the East.
at every point of approach ; hills and valleys and rushing streams give va-
riety and interest to each of its suburbs.
The ready resources of true charity, as exercised on behalf of our neigh-
bour, are ever versatile, and applicalDle towards objects and conditions,
which call forth their exercise by cloistered religious. One day, a poor
leper came to our saint, entreating permission to have his garments washed
at her establishment. It is probable, that some public provision had been
there made. Brigid compassionately assented to the leper's request, and
when told by the afflicted pauper, that he had no other garments for a
change, while what he wore should be washed and dried, our holy abbess
directed one of her nuns to present him with her second habit, which she
was not obliged to wear. Having a very natural objection to give her
clothes to a man, labouring under so loathsome a disease, that nun could
hardly bear such a proposal. She was immediately struck with leprosy, s°
for her disobedience, and she continued in this state for the lapse of an hour.
Then, indeed, she repented on account of her refusal. Through the prayers
of St. Brigid, however, she was soon cleansed from this infectious disease.s^
tury, and that it was situated within the
Protestant Primate's demesne. See p. 598.
*9 The annexed view, from a photograph
by Frederick W. Mares, Dublin, was drawn
on the wood by William F. Wakeman, and
engraved by George A. Hanlon. On a high
hill to the right is the new Catholic cathe-
dral, with its double flanking towers and
spires. The Protestant cathedral, with its
square tower, occupies a high hill in the
centre of the city.
5° The Sixth Life of our saint says : —
* * Virgineamque cutem percussit Candida
lepra."
— Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta
Vita ti. Brigidse, sec. Ixiii., p. 596.
5' The leprosy of cold climates seems to
be a local disease of the cutis, its vessels
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 109
One of the other nuns, with more charity, had already presented the poor
man with a garment, whilst all the community acknowledged the justice of
God's judgment on their now penitent sister. When the poor leper had
resumed his own attire, the holy abbess procured for him, likewise, the
blessing of a release from his miserable condition. Her sisters gave thanks
to God, on witnessing these manifestations of His Almighty power. The
holy abbess and her nuns dwelt in a particular cell, in that part of the
country, where the foregoing occurrences took place. One night, during
Lenten time, eight darmg thieves came to steal four horses, which belonged
to the community. A nun, who remained awake at that time, announced to
our saint this robbery which had been perpetrated. The abbess said : " Be
it so ; I already know it, but there will be found others, more powerful than
we are, who may retaliate." On departing with their prey, those robbers
went towards the house of a peasant or farmer, from whom they took forty
measures of corn. These were put on the four horses and on their own
shoulders. Afterwards, they proceeded, as they thought, to their homes.
Yet, the Almighty had decreed, that the thieves should retrace their course
towards that granary belonging to the nuns. Having deposited their booty,
they retired to rest in a corner of the barn. On the following morning, the
persons, who had experienced a loss of their corn, setting out on the tracks
of those thieves and of the previously-stolen horses, came in chase to St.
Brigid's dwelling-place. They declared their reason for coming, and ex-
plained about certain indications, which led them to suppose, they had fol-
lowed in a right direction. They also requested our abbess to give them
whatever information she could furnish regarding this matter. The holy
virgin then went to that granary, where she found the robbers sleeping.
Having awakened them, she asked why they had dared to bring their booty
thither, when they replied, in fear and amazement, that they had been under
an impression they returned to and slept in their own homes.s" Afterwards,
St. Brigid sent a message to St. Patrick, who was not far distant from that
place, with a request that he would come and release those robbers. The
holy prelate immediately came to our saint. Having ransomed them, they
repented, and sought to atone for their crimes, by offering that corn they
had taken to St. Brigid and to her nuns, being convinced, such restitution
should be acceptable to God.53 By the occurrence of this miracle, St.
Brigid's fame was greatly diffused, through this particular district of country.s*
While St. Brigid, with some of her nuns, was one day seated near Armagh
city, two men approached, bearing water in an uncovered wooden vessel.ss
On coming towards the holy abbess, they entreated her to bless this water.
With their request she complied, and she also blessed themselves, at the
and glands ; but, it is much more virulent trated. See Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap.
and contagious in warm climates. See lix., p. 533, Ibid.
Dr. Robert Thomas' *' Modern Practice of " We are not informed, whether our
Physic," &c. Article, Lepra or Leprosy, saint received this offering, which she could
pp. 729, 730. London : 1834. 8vo. Tenth only have accepted right<ully, with consent
edition. of the real owner ot the corn stolen.
5=* See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," 54 it is probable, the unfinished portion of
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxviii., our saint's Sixth Life, as found in the Bar-
xxix., p. 554. In another of our saint's barini MS., had reference also to this miracle,
lives, it is said, that a deficiency of corn ex- See Vita Sexta S. Brigidce, sec. Ixv., p. 596.
isted at the time of this robbery, that the Ibid.
grain taken had been winnowed, and in- 55 See Abbate Certani's " La Santiti Pro-
tended for seed, and that the thieves en- digiosa. Vita di S. Brigidalbernese." Libro
tered, not a barn, but a small hut, to sleep Quinto, pp. 340, 341.
there, alter this robbery had been perpe-
iio LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIMTS [February i.
same time. Departing from her, it happened, that vessel containing water
fell on its side, and not only did it remain unbroken, but not even one
drop of its contents spilled through the aperture. ^^ This remarkable cir-
cumstance was attributed to the efficacy of St. Brigid's prayers. When St.
Patrick had been informed regarding such an occurrence, he grdered a part
of the water contained in that vessel to be divided among particular
churches about Armagh,57 and to be used in the Eucharistic sacrifices^
Another portion he desired should be sprinkled on the fields, to make them
productive.59 His orders were obeyed, and many, who had been benefited
by this distribution, gave thanks to God and to his glorious servant, St.
Brigid.^
A certain wealthy and good nobleman lived in the plain of Macha.^^
He suffered greatly from disease and a pestilence, which baffled the skill of
physicians. At last he sent to St. Brigid, requesting a visit from her ; and,
while approaching the house, which she saw at a distance, our holy virgin
declared, that from whatever quarter the wind blew, it should bring calamity
and disease on the master of that dwelling. ^^ When this was told the noble-
man, he was surprised, and declared he did not know why he should incur
such a judgment, as he had done evil to no person. Then his herd re-
plied, by stating, it had been rumoured, that all wayfarers without exception
were in the habit of cursing this nobleman, because he had allowed his
husbandmen to enclose certain fields, with hedges,^3 which had the effect of
making an adjoining highway impassable, owing to their thorny obstructions.
When St. Brigid heard of this, she declared it was the cause of his misfor-
tune. Wherefore, that nobleman gave orders to restore the highway to its
former unincumbered state. Afterwards, all passengers bestowed their bless-
ings on him. He was also relieved from his infirmities, through the prayers
of St. Brigid, to whom, and to the Almighty, he offered humble acknow-
ledgments-^-^
To the pious abbess, among other gifts, was accorded the spirit of pro-
phecy.^5 We are told, while St. Patrick, on a certain day, preached the
s<5 In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of depressions and eminences, highly cultivated
St. Brigid, it is said to have rolled from the and improved by art.
door of the Rathto Lochlaphain, pp. 29,30. ''^ This account, with his usual classical
57 And throughout Airthiria (Orior) is illustrations, is also to be found elaborated
added in Professor O'Looney's MS. Ibid. in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La San-
58 " Ut ad Eucharistiam sanguinis Christi tit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
mitteretur," &c., are ihe words used in our nese." Libro Quinto, pp. 334 to 338.
saint's Third and Fourth Lives. They show ^^ This passage indicates early Irish agri-
how early in Ireland was the practice of cultural improvements, in fencing landed
mingling some drops of water with wine property. These probably, in many in-
used at Mass, thus according with the pre- stances, should favourably compare with the
sent Roman rite. present state of landed proprietors' efforts
59 We are told, moreover, that it cured in Ireland. Much more should have been
every disease and distemper that was in the done to trim hedges and secure fields in an
country. Professor O'Looney's Irish Life ornamental manner. By planting trees more
of St. Brigid, pp. 29, 30. generally and by building commodious and
^See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," handsome dwellings for farmers and cot-
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxii., tiers, the natural features of our landscapes
PP- 554> 555- Vita Tertia S. Brigid ae, cap. might be rendered far more picturesque,
Ixii., p. 534. Ibiii. while social order and happiness should be
*'In one reading, Colgan found **in increased,
campo Mancho, which he amends in the ^* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
following comment, "rectius yJ/o^/^<7." This Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxi.,
was a plain extending round Armagh, called p. 554. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixi.,
in Irish, Magh, Macha, n. 34, p. 543. This p. 534. Ibid.
plain now— if it can be so called — presents ^5 Bishop De Burgo's " Officia Propriil
charmingly diversified sylvan and pastoral Sanctorum Hibernian." In Festo S. Bri*
prospects, with delightful rolling surfaces, gidse Officium, Lect. vi., p. 13.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
lit
word of God, in the province of Ulster, and while the pearl of Ireland^^
formed one of a numerous concourse of persons present, the whole multi-
tude saw a cloud of surpassing brightness descending from the heavens to-
wards the earth.^7 This luminous meteor rested over a place, adjoining that
in which the congregation had been assembled. Afterwards, this bright
meteor drifted towards the citadel or Dun of Leathglass.^^ This remarkable
Dun is still a prominent object near Downpatrick.'^s Having continued
there for a considerable time, it finally disappeared. The congregation pre-
^ Thus is St. Brigid poetically styled by
Jocelyn, who relates these incidents. See
Colgan's *' Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta
VitaS. Patricii, cap. clxxxviii., clxxxix., p.
107.
^ The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani thus
writes : — ' ' Staua egli non lungi alia sua
Canonica Saballense discorrendo delle
bellezze del Paradiso, alle quali di gia s'ap-
prossimaua, quando si vide vn Globe grande
di luminosissima luce fermarsi sul cimitero,
que staua poco lungi allaCitta di Duno." —
*' La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibemese." Libro Quarto, p. 328.
^* " Ubi sepultus est ipse Sanctus Patri-
cius, Beata Brigida et reliquse Beatissimi
Abbatis Columbae post multos annos collo-
catse in sepulchro," will be found inserted
between brackets, in the Fourth Life of St.
Brigid, where an account of these events
is given. The site of the citadel here men-
tioned was known as Dun da leth-glas, by
the ancient inhabitants of our island, or as
contracted into Dun, now Anglicized Down.
In Latin it is called Dunum. It is now a
city and an episcopal see, in the eastern
part of Ulster. At a period long subse-
quent to their several deaths, the relics of
Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille were
preserved in Down. This incidental pas-
sage— already quoted from the Fourth Life
of our saint— shows that the writer of this
treatise must have written it, subsequent to
A.D. 823, when, according to Dr. O'Dono-
van's " Annals of the Four Masters,"
"Blathmac, son of Flann, received the
crown of martyrdom, for he was killed by
the foreigners at I Coluim-Cille," vol. i., pp.
436, 437. At that date, St. Columkille's
relics were kept at lona, off Albanian Sco-
tia's coast, as Walafrid Strabo, a contempo-
raneous writer, relates, in his account of St.
Blathmac's martyrdom, in these lines : —
** Et reliquis rabida sociis feritate peremptis,
Ad sanctum venere patrem, pretiosa me-
talla
Redere cogentes, quels sancta Columbae
Ossa jacent ; quam quippe suis de sedi-
bus arcam
Tollentes tumulo terra posuere cavato
Cespite sub denso, gnari jam pestis ini-
quae."
At the time of St. Blathmaic's martyrdom.
according to authors worthy of credit, the
whole of Britain, and especially the He-
brides, suffered from the frequent incur-
sions of Danes and other Pagans, and for
nearly two hundred years subsequently Dub-
lin had been occupied by the Northmen,
A. D. 840, while they made frequent inroads
into other parts of our island, especially
upon Leinster, burning and devastating va-
rious places where they came. Kildare is
mentioned, as having been spoiled by them,
A.D. 835, while Kethernus, prior in this
city, with many others, had been put to
death, A.D. 843. Wherefore, Colgan thinks
it fair to conjecture, although he could not
pronounce with certainty, that St. Brigid's
sacred relics had been transferred from Kil-
dare, while those of St. Columkille had
been removed from lona Island to Down,
before or about the middle of the ninth cen-
tury. This he considers a more probable
opinion, because no other period for this
translation can be pointed to as more op-
portune, and because, at that time, it is not
a little remarkable, that one and the same
abbot presided over the monasteries of Kil-
dare and lona, while it is probable, he con-
ceived a desire of having those sacred trea-
sures, which had been committed to his
charge, removed to a safer place, owing to
the frequently-recurring ravages of infidels.
The Ulster province was then considered
more secure than any other part of Ireland,
as Niall Cuille, King of Ireland, was sta-
tioned there, with his forces. At the year
863, in Dr. O'Douovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," it is recorded, that " Ceal-
lach, son of Ailill, Abbot of Cill-dara, and
the Abbot of la, died in Pictland," vol. i.,
pp. 500, 501. He appears to have sue*
ceeded Sedulius, Abbot of Kildare, who
died in 828, since we read of no other Abbot
of Kildare that lived there as an interme-
diary. This he undertook to prove in Ap-
pendix V. See " Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, n. 30, p. 543.
Also, Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, nn. 13, 14,
pp. 565, 566, ibid. Also, Dr. O'Donovan's
" Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp.
460, 461, and nn. (f, g), pp. 452, 453, and
n. (p), pp. 466, 467, with pp. 442, 443,
^ The ancient Dun Keltair at this place
is composed of three great earthen ramparts,
with as many intervening trenches. These
were covered with a growth of furze, briars,
112
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
sent would not dare to inquire, from their venerated Apostle, the meaning of
this portent ; but, they applied for a solution of it, from the holy virgin,
Brigid. She told them to ask their common father, St. Patrick, for an ex-
planation. The latter replied to her : " You and I are equals, therefore
explain this mystery to the people."7o St. Brigid then spoke to the assem-
bla^^e ; she told them, that apparition indicated St. Patrick's spirit, which
went, as it were, before to visit the place where his body should be interred
after his death.7^ " For," said she, " where this meteor first rested near us,
there shall the body of our holy patron lie unburied for some days,7» and
thence shall it be brought, and be interred in Leathglaisse Dun,73 where it
shall remain to the day of judgment.''74 Holy Patrick then requested our
saint to make with her own hands that shroud, in which his body should be
wrapped after death, and he expressed a desire to arise from the grave,
clothed with it, to receive his eternal reward. This request our holy virgin
promised should be complied with, and she also predicted to St. Patrick,
that he with herself and the celebrated St. Columkille, another great Irish
apostle, not then born, should arise for judgment, from this same tomb. 75
The body of Ireland's illustrious Apostle was afterwards wrapped in that
shroud then promised him by St. Brigid. On hearing this colloquy and pre-
diction, the crowd assembled praised Almighty God.76
Subsequently, as we are told, having obtained permission from the holy
Archbishop Patrick for a return to her own part of the country, St. Brigid
travelled over a plain called Breagh, within the Meathian territory. While
she dwelt there at a certain cell, it would seem the wife, probably of Fer-
gus,77 the son of Conall Crimthann, who was son to Niall, King of Ireland,7^
sloe and hawthorn bushes, when visited by
the writer in May, 1874. The whole is
surrounded with marshy meadows, re-
claimed from the waters of Lough Strang-
ford.
70 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, vii., p. 88.
7' In a note, on this passage, Colgan ob-
serves, the meaning does not appear to be,
that St. Patrick s soul, not yet departed
from his body, actually came to the place
of his future interment, but that the meteor
represented it, and the place lor its future
burial. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita
Tertia S. Brigidse, n. 32, p. 543.
72 See ibid. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, n.
15, p. 566.
^^ At this present time, in the small and
greatly crowded cemetery of JJownpatrick,
beside the old cathedral, a hole has been
opened over one of the graves, which is
supposed by the people to have been the
spot, where St. Patrick's body had been in-
terred. Under this impression, the Catho-
lics of the town and neighbourhood fre-
quently remove small quantities of earth.
Even pilgrims from the most distant parts
of the world obtain portions, which they
carry away as souvenirs of Ireland's great
Apostle.
7* The author of St. Tatrick's Fourth
Life appears to insinuate, in this particular
place, what is asserted by Probus, in his
iafe of St. Patrick, lib. ii., and also by
Joceline, cap. 189, viz., that St. Patrick died
in the monastery of Saul, and that his body
afterwards had been interred in the city of
Down. Joceline also adds, cap. 193, that
the Irish Apostle s body remained twelve
days unburied at the former place, before it
was brought to Down, on account of a con-
test that took place between the Armagh
and Down people, who respectively con-
tended for the possession of his remains.
75 See ibid., Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib.
ii., cap. XXX., p, 554. Also, Vita I'ertia S.
Brigidoe, cap. Ix., pp. 533, 534. This latter
chapter concludes the account regarding this
linen shroud by an observation, "in loco
constat." On this passage, Colgan has a
note, where it is observed, that the author
of the Third Life must have flourished at a
very early period ; for, the linen shroud in
question does not seem to have been in ex-
istence, for several ages, previous to the
seventeenth century. Ib/d., n. 33, p, 543.
T^ To these foregoing circumstances, some
allusion seems to be made, and with a suffi-
cient amount of poetical licence, in Vita
Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, xlvi., xlviii., pp.
592, 593. Jbid.
77 This son to King Conall, who is said
to have dwelt in the plain of Breagh, and
whose posterity had been addicted to vio-
lence and bloodshed, during a period they
ruled over the kingdom, can be no other
than Ferguss, surnamed Kerrbheoil.
78 Niall the Great had two sons, both of
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
"3
visited her, to entreat her intercession. The noble-born woman, in question,
brought a silver vessel, as a gift for our saint. Brigid sent one of her nuns
to wait upon that distinguished visitor, who stood without the door. For
some cause, the holy abbess herself did not wish to appear. 79 The nun
soon returned, asking why her superioress would not see the queen and
pray to God for her, that thus she might obtain the object desired by the
royal visitor, and more especially, as the holy virgin had often asked for
like favours, on behalf of peasants' wives. The saint of God replied, that
with few exceptions, the poor and rustics serve Almighty God, and pray to
Him ; whilst, only in it'ff instances, is it found, that the children of kings
are not malicious, sons of blood, and libertines. However, the queen
appears to have obtained the favour she sought, through the intervention of
our holy abbess. To her prayers is attributed the birth of Diermit,^° son to
Fergus,^^ and afterwards supreme Monarch of Ireland.^^' In granting her
request, however, our saint told the nun, that the queen's posterity must
needs be addicted to deeds of bloodshed,^3 and must incur malediction, even
although they should reign for a lapse of years.^^ The event corresponded
with our saint's prediction.^5
This illustrious abbess did not take her mind or her attention from our
Lord, for the space of one hour at any time. She was constantly speaking
of Him, and she was ever thinking of Him, as is evident from her own life,
and also from the life of St. Brenainn, Bishop of Cluain-fearta.^^ She was
very hospitable, likewise, and exceedingly charitable towards guests and
needy people.^7 Animated with this kindly and generous spirit towards her
neighbour, she loved God to such a degree, that her mind was continually
intent on His Divine perfections, and elevated by holy contemplation. One
whom were called Conall or Conald ; but,
to distinguish them, one was named Conall
Crimthann, and the other Conall Gulban.
In the time of St. Brigid, Conall Crimthann,
with his progeny, ruled over the extensive
territories of Breagh and Meath. Before
St. Brigid's birth or the arrival of St. Pa-
trick in Ireland, Conall Gulban acquired
ample possessions in Ulster. From him, the
district, called Tir-Connell, derived its
name.
" This account is also very fully related
in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La San-
titi f rodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
nese." Libro Quinto, pp. 538 to 340.
^This Diermit had three sons, Aldus
Slane, Colman, surnamed the Great, and
Colman, the Less. The sons and posterity
of these princes, contending for the sove-
reignty of Meath and of Ireland, engaged
in devastating wars. In such internecine
contests, the kings themselves were fre-
quently killed ; as for instance, Suibhne, son
to Colman the Less, was cut off by Aldus
Slane ; and Conall, son to the same Aldus,
was slain by ^nguss, son of Colman the
Great ; Conall, son of the aforesaid Suibhne,
was put to death by the same Aldus Slane ;
while Moelumius and Colchus, two sons of
yEnguss, son to Colman the Great, were
killed by Diermit, son to Aldus Slane.
^' In the present case, we must suppose
Conall Crimthainn's son alluded to, as well
Vol. II.
because Ferguss, son of the last-named
prince, then ruled over Breagh territory,
while the sons of Conall Gulban reigned in
Ultonia ; as also, because a son to this
Ferguss was the famous Diermit, King of
Ireland.
8^ When the writers of St. Brigid's Acts
call the posterity of a child, born through
her prayers, bloody, they seem to have had
reference to these and like disastrous issues.
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita
Tertia S. Brigidae, n. 36, pp. 543, 544.
^3 From the race of^ both Conalls issued
many kings, not only over those provinces,
which have been already alluded to,
but who even were monarchs over all Ire-
land ; and, it may be observed, on account
of many wars waged by them, in acquiring
and defending their territories, they deserved
to be called men of violence.
^^ See L. Tachet de Barneval's ** Histoire
Ldgendaire de ITrlande," chap, vi., p. 57.
^sSee Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga,"
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxiv.,
p. 555. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap.
Ixiv., p. 534.
8^ See " Acta Sancti Brendani." Edited
by Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran, D.D.,
Bishop of Ossory. Vita S. Brendani, cap.
xvii., p. 17.
«7See "The Martyrology of Donegal."
Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd, and Reeves, pp.
34, 35-
I
114
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [I'ebruary t.
day, a pious man came to that place,^^ where Brigid was accustomed to oflfer
her private devotions, when he found her hands extended towards heaven,
in prayer. ^9 Our saint was so entranced in God's holy presence, that she
seemed undisturbed, in the least degree, by shouts of certain neighbouring
villagers, both men and women. These 'were engaged in driving away
some calves from their dams. On seeing St. Brigid's attention thus wholly
absorbed in the Divine presence, her devout visitor was not willing to disturb
the course of her meditations. After the lapse of an hour, however, he
returned, and said to her : " O Saint of God, have you not heard great out-
cries raised in the hamlet ?" She answered in the negative. Her interro-
gator then said : " What, therefore, hath become of thy hearing ?" St. Brigid
replied : " As God is my witness, at the time you speak of, I heard and
beheld Masses celebrated in the city of Rome,9° and at the tombs of the
Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul.9^ I very much desire, likewise, that the
whole Roman ritual and liturgy may be brought to me."^^ Afterwards, St.
Brigid sent prudent men to Rome,93 that thence these might bring the same
masses and ecclesiastical rules.?* At Placentia95 and elsewhere, she is said
to have saved her messengers by miracles?^ from impending death. The
following legendary account, regarding this mission, is found in a commentary,
^ It is assumed to have been in Kildare,
by the Abbate Certani, although it may
have been at some other place.
^ This narrative is very fully set forth in
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's **La Santitk
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese."
Libro Sesto, pp. 472 to 479.
9° Colgan remarks, that her words could
have been verified in a double manner :
First, either by supposing St. Brigid to have
been miraculously present, in the two dis-
tant cities of Rome and of Kildare— if that
be the place designated — at one and the same
time ; or, secondly, by remaining, in one
place only, she could have seen in spirit
what occurred, in the other^distant city. He
adds, that either mode is possible, and that
other instances are to be found, as in St.
Anthony of Padua's Acts, which bear a re-
semblance to what is here related. See
** Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Bri-
gidse, n. 54, p. 544.
9* The author of her metrical acts states,
that she was not present at Rome bodily,
but only saw by a mental illumination what
took place in that city. He adds : —
" Officium sanctum placuit sibi semper ha-
bendum,
Unde sacerdotes Romam transmisit ad
urbem.
Sacra adferre nova et quodcumque audi-
verat illic,
Virginibus cupiens haic tradere lege pe-
renni.
Libros composites, cantumque et munera
multa
Misit Apostolicus Brigidse, concessit ha-
benda
Tradidit ilia suis, discendi vertit inusum,"
--Sexta Vita S. Brigidae, sec. Ivi. p. 594.
loid^
9' The meaning of the Latin words, in
our saint's lives, seems to indicate, that St.
Brigid desired to conform entirely to the
rites, ceremonies and constitutions of the
Roman Church; wherefore, the Ritual of
Rome and the Roman order bear such a sig-
nification.
93 Colgan says, that in an Irish Life of
St. Brigid, at chapter 50, and in an old MS.,
called by our antiquaries, "The Book of
Hymns," in a commentary to a certain can-
ticle, composed in praise of St. Brigid, and
in commentaries, affixed to the Martyrology
of Marianus O'Gorman, at the 1st of Feb-
ruary, there are various particulars given,
regarding the legation of St. Brigid.
9* See ibid., Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib.
ii., cap. xiv., p. 552. Vita Tertia S. Bri-
gidae, cap. xci., pp. 538, 539, ibid. In the
latter life, to the account contained in the
text, this following sentence is added : —
"Item dixit post aliquantum tempus Bri-
gida ad illos viros ; Ego sentio quod qui-
dam commutaverunt in Roma missas post-
quam venistis ab ea. Exite iterum. Et illi
exierunt et detulerunt ut invenerunt."
95 This was an ancient city of Italy. In
the first century of the Christian era, Silius
Italicus alludes to it, in this hexameter line:
" Certavit Mutinas quassata Placentia
bello."
— ** Punicorum," lib. viii., v. 593. It is
now called Placenza, on the River Trebia,
not far from the Po. A very interesting de-
scription of it may be found, in Rev. John
Chetwode Eustace's " Classical Tour
through Italy, An. MDCCCII.," vol. i., chap,
vi., pp. 237 to 241.
9^ These Colgan did not think necessary
to be related, in his own notes. See " Tria9
Thaumaturga," n. 55.
I'ebruary I.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. ti^
affixed to St. Angus' "Metrical Festilogy," at the ist of February. On a
certain day, as she could not undertake the journey herself, St. Brigid sent
seven of her disciples to Rome,97 that they might bring from thence the
Ordo of St. Peter, or the Roman Rite. But, on their return home, they en-
tirely forget what they had then learned. To whom St. Brigid addressed
these words : " The Son of the Virgin knows, that however great your dili-
gence had been, it is altogether useless." Again, she despatched seven
other disciples, and with a hke result. A third time, she sent other mes-
sengers, and joined with them a certain blind /r^/^^<? of her own. The Al-
mighty had endowed this blind man with the singular faculty of retaining
permanently in his recollection, whatsoever he heard. Being overtaken by
a storm in the Iccian98 or Tyrhene^s* sea, they cast anchor. Alterwards, being
unable to raise it, the crew cast lots among themselves, to determine who
should commit himself to the deep to loose its fastenings. Their lot fell
upon the blind man already mentioned. On diving downwards, he appeared
no more, until other sailors, driven by the same storm, cast anchor in this
place. When they wound it upwards again, they observed this blind man
ascending with their anchor, and bearing with him the Ecclesiastical Rite or
Ordo, and a bell, afterwards called, Cloc an mic daill, or " bell of the blind
son." At a time this legend was in vogue, it was believed, St. Brigid's fa-
mily had still possession ot this bell,'°° and that they used a Ritual, called
the " Ordo Placentinus."^°^ Quaint though the form of this legend may be,
yet it probably shadows the substance of a conviction, that St. Brigid, Hke
her beloved teacher St. Patrick, clung with fidelity and affection to the rites
and practices of the Roman Church, the true fountain and centre of
Christian union.
CHAPTER VIII.
ILLAND, THE WARRIOR PRINCE OF LEINSTER— ST. BRIGID VISITS HER FATHER, DUB-
TACH, AND PROTECTS HIS FAMILY— FAVOURS ACCORDED TO THE HOLY ABBESS —
SHE VISITS KING ILLAND AND BLESSES HIM— THE VICTORIES OF THIS DYNAST
OVER HIS ENEMIES— THE BORUMHA LAIGHEAN — WARS THROUGHOUT IRELAND
DURING ST. brigid's LIFETIME— DEATH OF KING ILLAND— VICTORY OBTAINED
AFTER HIS DEATH BY THE LAGENIANS, THROUGH THE SPECIAL PROTECTION OF
ST. BRIGID.
Again must we regard St. Brigid as having returned to Leinster, where the chief
actions of her religious life took place. Soon after the death of Crimthann,^
97 Very numerous views of this city by conserua quel libro col campanello nel Mo-
Piranesi are engraved in R. Venuti's *' Ac- nasterio Killdariense chiamandosi da tutti
curata e Succinta Descrizione Topografica e Cloc-an-Mic-Daill, cioe Campana del figlio
Istorica di Roma Moderna," published in cieco." — "La Santit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di
four 4to vols. Roma, A.D. 1766. S. Brigida Ibemese." Libro Sesto, p. 478.
^ The Iccius Portus of Ptolemy is sup- '°^ The account adds that Placentia -was a
posed to be Calais in Picardy ; so that the city near the Iccian, or more correctly the
sea between that port of France and Dover is Tyrrhenian Sea, and that there St, Brigid vtras
usually distinguished as the " Iccium Mare." venerated. See Colgan's " Trias Ihauma-
99 This was called by the ancients indif- turga," Appendix Secunda ad Acta S. Bri-
ferently ' ' Tuscum Mare, vel Tyrrhenum, gidae, cap. xliv., p. 608.
quod et Infernum." It lies on the western Chapter viii. — 'This warlike prince
shore of Italy. See Wilkinson's "Atlas seems to have chiefly resided in Southern
Classica." Map 24. Italia Antiqua. Leinster, for we are told, that he warred
'°° The Abbate Certani says:— " Si con- with and subdued the Northern Leinster-
seru6 lunghissimo tempo, e forse ancora si men. After the death of OilioU Molt, he
ii6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. ebruary i.
the son of Enna Kinsellagh, while Finnchadh,'* and afterwards his son
Fraech,3 ruled in that territory, the star of lolland or Illand* appears to
have been in the ascendant, throughout the province. This enterprising
hero was the son of Dunlaing,5 who preceded him in the government, at
least of its northern division. Illand and his brother Ailill^ received bap-
tism at the hands of St. Patrick.7 After St. Brigid had taken possession of
Kildare, as may be inferred from accounts left us in her acts, that religious
daughter paid a visit to the house of her father, Dubtach, after a long inter-
val of absence from her parents,^ Her father and all her relatives greatly
rejoiced at her arrival. No mention is made of her mother as then living.9
Dubtach earnestly desired her to remain that night under his roof. With
this request she complied. During her sleep, an angel sent from God ap-
peared to her. Then awaking, she heard these words addressed to her :
"Arise immediately, and arouse your father, with his whole family, and
your religious daughters, now sleeping ; for, with an intention of murdering
your father and his household, an enemy approaches. But, the Lord will
prevent such intention, on your account. Depart instantly from this house,
for the foe will soon set it on fire." Our saint obeyed this portentous man-
date, and warning the inmates, these fled. On approaching, their enemy
was greatly disappointed, not finding any of the family present. Dubtach
and others, on seeing the house blazing at a distance, cried out : " O holy
Brigid, thy blessing hath preserved us this night from impending death. We
are now conscious of all those wonderful things predicted concerning thee."
Our saint repUed : " Not only on this night, but so long as you live, blood
shall not be shed within your dwelling." This prediction proved true on a
subsequent occasion, for when a certain man intended to strike a woman
there, his hand became stiff as he tried to extend it. Nor could he draw it
back, until he had abandoned that wicked intention.^"
The following day, one of her spiritual daughters said to our saint : " I
pray, that the Angel of the Lord may always assist you, as he has done
was even regarded as King of Ireland for Also, Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," Vita
a time, if we are to credit a statement con- Quarta S. Brigidse, n. 5, p. 564.
tained in the Vita S. Kierani, cap, xix., p. s Hence, he is usually called Illand, Mac
460, See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hi- Dunking, or Illand, son of Dunking, in the
berniae," v. Martii. Irish Annals. He seems to have commenced
^ At the battle of Graine or Grane, in the his rule over Leinster, about A. D. 486.
north of Kildare, this lord of Hy-Kinnsel- ^ Both brothers were probably very young
lach fell, A.D. 480, according to Dr. O'Do- men, vv'hen St. Patrick came to their father,
novan's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. Dunking, then living on the Dun, at Naas.
i., pp. 150, 151. Eochaidh Mac Coirpre 7 When the Irish Apostle visited Naas, on
was the victor, in this battle, which was his way to Munster. See Colgan's "Trias
among the Lagenians themselves, A.D. 484, Thaumaturga," Tertia VitaS. Patricii, cap.
according to the '* Chronicum Scotorum," Iviii., p. 25 and n. 52, p. 32. Also Septima
edited by William M. Hennessy, pp. 30, 31. Vita S. Patricii, Pars iii., cap, xvi,, p. 151.
3 He fell, however, in the second battle of Also, Miss Mary F. Cusack's "Life of St.
Graine, fought A.D. 492, Eochaidh, son of Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," The Irish
Coirpre, being the victor. See " Chronicum Tripartite Life, translated by William M.
Scotorum," edited by William M. Hennessy, Hennessy, part iii., p. 458.
pp. 32, 33. 8 Ti^g following account is given, at great
^ He is regarded as the fifth Christian king length, in Abbate D, Giacomo Certani's
of Leinster. This would appear from a "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Bri-
Catalogue of Kings, belonging to that pro- gida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 456 to
vince. According to that catalogue, and 463.
other authorities, he reigned 30 years. Thus » See " The Life of St. Brigid," by an
his death is found recorded : "The age of Irish Priest, chap, v., p. 58.
Christ 506. The third year of Muirchear- '° The foregoing accounts are also sub-
tach. Ilknn, son of Dunking, King of Lein- stantially contained in the Vita Sexta S.
ster, died." See O'Donovan's " Annals of Brigidae, sec. liii., pp. 593, 594. "Trias
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 164, 165. Thaumaturga."
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 117
during the past night, by the liberation of yourself, your father and his fa-
mily." To whom the spouse of Christ returned for answer : — " Not only dur-
ing this night, but in every age, I shall have the Lord's assistance, in all things,
through the ministry of His angels." For daily do I experience a great joy
of spirit, while I hear, through Divine inspiration, holy songs," spiritual
canticles, and strains of heavenly organs. ^3 I am also able to hear every
day those sacred Masses, which are offered in honour of the Almighty, in
distant parts of the world, in like manner, as if I were present at their cele-
bration ;'* while, the angels of God present my prayers to Heaven day and
night. Wherever I am, the Lord always hears me, as I wilt show by the
two following incidents. ^5 On a particular occasion, a certain woman, who
was a leper and infirm, asked me to bring her water, and to perform some
other charitable offices, in her necessities. Whereupon, I blessed the
vessel, which was filled with water, and presented it, telling her to place
that vessel between herself and the wall, so that no other person should be
able to touch it, until her return. But, in my presence, the Angel of the
Lord blessed that water, and it was turned into whatever kind of liquid that
leper desired ; thus, it had the taste of honey, when this was wished for, and
again the taste of wine, of beer, of milk, or of any other liquid, that infirm woman
especially required. Again, when I was a little girl, I fashioned an altar-stone
in honour of my God, yet with child-like intent. Then, an Angel of the
Almighty, in my presence, perforated the stone at its four angles, and placed
at each of them four wooden feet.'^ That you may glorify our Lord Jesus
Christ, I have mentioned, O daughter, these two interpositions of my Angel
Guardian. Thus, the grace of God hath always continued with me."'7
Already had the saintly daughter secured the respect of her dynast so-
vereign and protector Illand,'^ son of Dunlaing. During this visit of the
Brigid, her father Dubtach said to her : " O pious maid, go to our king, and
ask him to give me as a valuable and perpetual gift, that sword which he lent
me for a time. '''9 In compliance with the request of her father, the dutiful
Brigid set out on a visit to the Leinster king, who then dwelt in the plain
of the Liffey.^° When our saint rested before the gate of the regal city,
"See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an lunque parte del Cattolico Hondo."— "La
Irish Priest, chap, v., pp. 59, 60. Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
"In the Vita Sexta S. Brigidae, sec. li., nese," Libro Sesto, p. 464.
P- 593. "Trias Thaumaturga," we have 'SThe visit to Connaught — without any
the following lines : — very good warrant, however — is placed by
the Irish Priest's "Life of St. Brigid,"
♦* Organa dulcisono resonant cselestia cantu. after this visit to Dubtach. See chap, v.,
Hoc pueri pariter cantantes, hoc seniores, p. 60.
Angehci populi respondent, Alleluia." ^''See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. ii. February i., p. 17.
^3 The invention of organs dates to are- '^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
mote antiquity , and to a period long ante- Vita Quarta S. Brigid*, lib. ii., cap. vi.,
cedent to the Christian era. Bellarmine vii., viii., ix., p. 551. Nearly the same ac-
states, that organs were used in Church ser- counts are contained in the Vita Tertia S.
vices, about the year6Co, as Platina relates Brigidae, cap. Ixxxvii., Ixxxviii., Ixxxix., p.
from the Pontifical. When Pope Vitalian 538, ibid.
reformed Roman Church music, he intro- *^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
duced organs as instruments for accompani- St. Brigid, pp. 30, 31, the King of Leinster,
ment. Other authors refer their introduc- to whom the holy abbess went, is called
tion in Church services to a later period. Ailill, son of Dunlaing. Perhaps, he and
See the " Encyclopaedia Britannica," vol. his brother held a joint sovereignty over
xiii., pp. 485 to 489. Dublin edition. Leinster, or what seems more likely, Ailill
**The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has may have preceded lUand in his term of rule,
it : " Merce dell' Angelo mio assisto gior- '^ See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
nalmente a quanti sacrificii s'offrono a Dio Santit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
nella Catolica chiesa. Ascolto, e veggo le nese," Libro Sesto, pp. 465 to 467.
Messe, che si celebrano in Roma, e in qua- '"Most probably at JNaas, where therq
ii8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
with her virgins, one of the king's servants came to her. He said, " If you
release me from my bondage to the king, both I and my family shall become
your servants for ever, while myself, my posterity and kindred shall likewise
make profession of Christianity." The holy virgin said, she should prefer
his request before the monarch, into whose presence she was soon con-
ducted. The king then asked the holy virgin what had been her object in
seeking this interview. She replied, her father desired to possess that sword,
which had been lent to him, as a perpetual gift, whilst on her own part,
she petitioned the king to manumit or transfer to herself the slave and his
family. Then said the king : " You require from me a most precious sword,
O saint, but what better favour will you accord me, should I grant both of
these boons ?" The holy virgin asked him, what he should think about
obtaining eternal life, and of having kings in his line, to the end of time.
The king then told her, he did not desire that Hfe, of which he had yet no
experience, nor did he care for the prosperity of those children, who were
destined to succeed him. But, he asked for two other favours. These were,
that he should enjoy a long life, in this world, which he loved, and that he
should be a conqueror, in all his wars.^'^ He told Brigid, that a great war
was then pending, between the people of Leinster and the race of Cuinn.
The holy abbess assured him, that both those desires should be obtained,
when she returned home, with those favours she asked for granted to her.
Before leaving, she imparted her blessing to the kii^g.^^
Shortly afterwards, Illand with a small army, entered the territories of his
enemies, who belonged to the posterity of Cuind.^3 Having reached the
plain of Breagh,24 he was there met by a well-appointed force. When he
saw the number of men drawn out to meet him, the King of Leinster
called aloud to his soldiers : " Stand firm, and invoke St. Brigid's assistance,
for she will redeem her promises." With cries that reached the heavens,
his whole band called out the holy virgin's name, and immediately com-
menced their onset of battle. The King of Leinster had a glorious vision
of holy Brigid, preceding him in the field, and holding a staff in her right
hand, while a pillar of glittering flame reached from her head towards
heaven.^5 A sudden panic seized on the Neill forces. They immediately
fled. The King of Leinster and his victorious army gave thanks to God
and to St. Brigid. To her patronage they mainly attributed the glory of this
day.=^ This great victory over the northern forces was the prelude to other
famous achievements. Illand is said to have fought thirty battles in Ireland,
and eight^7 or nine^'^ in Britain. In all of these conflicts, he proved victo-
rious. A belief entertained, regarding his invincible prowess, caused several
was formerly a seat of the kings of Lein- O'Dubhagain and Giolla na naomh O'Hui-
ster. See "The Parliamentary GazeUeer dhrin." Edited by Dr. John O'Donovan,
of Ireland," vol iii., p. 3. n. 272, pp. xxxvii., xxxviii,
*' See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's"La ^^^ Probably the plain, known as Magh
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- Breacraighe, comprising the northern part
nese," Libro Sesto, pp. 467 to 470. of Moygoish barony, in the county of West-
"* Some of the foregoing incidents are meath, and extending into the county of
briefly related in Professor O'Looney's Irish Longford, See ibid., n. 273, p. xxxviii.
Life of St. Brigid, pp. 31, 32. =5 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
=3 These seem to have been the O'Cuinns Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
or O'Quins of Munter Gillagan. These nese," Libro Sesto, pp. 470, 471.
were distributed among the baronies of Ar- =*See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
dagh, Moydow, and Shrule, in the county QuartaVita S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. x., xi.,
of Longford. Although dispossessed by p. 551. Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. xc,
the O'Farrells in the fifteenth century, their p. 539.
posterity are yet numerous in that locality. =7 According to the Fourth Life.
See "The Topographical Poems of John '^ ^^coj-ding to the Third Life,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
119
kings to court his alliance with large gifts. During these wars and rumours
of wars, St. Brigid and her nuns, at Kildare, appear not to have been dis-
turbed, in the least, so far as the even current of a religious life passed on ;
nor do we hear of hostile clamour awakening that repose, so grateful to
their holy inmates, around the precincts of her privileged cloisters.
The Borumha Laighean or " Leinster cow-tribute"='9 was a fruitful source
of warfare between the sovereigns of Ireland and the men of Leinster, not
only before, but during and long after the lifetime of St. Brigid. 3° From
this irritating cause, probably originated most of those petty wars, carried
on with such frequent and obstinate persistence for so many centuries.s^ The
renowned warrior King of Ireland, Tuathal Teachtmhar,32 who is said to
have fought no less than 133 battles in the different provinces, reigned thirty
years,33 during the close of the first, and he was slain after the commence-
ment of the second century, 34 a.d. io6,3S He is related to have imposed
the degrading and oppressive Borumha, or cow tribute, on the Leinster
people.3^ During the reign of King Cormac,37 son of Art, about a.d. 241,
is recorded a great outrage, perpetrated or permitted by Dunlang, son to
Enna Niadh, King of Leinster. He appears to have assaulted the royal
seat at Tara, and on the western slope of the hill, at Claenfearta,3S where
the apartments for females had been erected,39 thirty royal maidens,4o with
three hundred women servants, had been massacred. This happened on
Saman's day.^'' To avenge this cowardly and cruel act,^^ King Cormac ex-
ecuted, at the same time, twelve of the Leinster chiefs, who were thought
or proved to be guilty of it, while he increased the Leinster tribute, which
already was so very onerous. Yet, this annual exaction was impolitic, as it
"9 There is a very curious Irish tract, in-
tituled, " Borumha Laighean," on the ori-
ginal imposition and final remittance of this
impost, preserved in the Book of Lecan.
Another copy of it may be found in a vellum
manuscript, classed H, 2, 18, in the Library.
of Trinity College, Dublin. A copy had
been prepared for publication by the Irish
Archaeological Society, but it has not yet
issued from the press.
3° See Townsend Young's " History of
Ireland," chap, i., pp. 15, 16.
3' See "Three Fragments, copied from
ancient sources," by Dubhaltach Mac Fir-
bisigh. Edited by Dr. O'Donovan, pp. 32
to 35.
32 See an account of his reign in LAbbe
Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire de I'lrlande,
Ancienne et Moderne," tome i., part i.,
chap, vi., pp. 126 to 130.
33 Beginning A.D. 76, according to Dr.
O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four Masters,"
vol. i., pp. 98, 99.
34 See a very interesting; account regarding
the imposition of the Leinster cow-tribute,
during the reign of this monarch, in O'Ma-
hony's Keating's " History of Ireland,"
book i., part i., chap, vii,, pp. 297 to 306.
35 According to Dr. O'Donovan's "An-
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 98
to lOI.
3^ This was done on account of an act of
treachery, perpetrated by a king of Leinster
towards the two daughters of the monarch
Tuathal. In revenge, he devastated Lein-
ster, and when the people of that province
had submitted to him, he exacted "the fol-
lowing Fine or Boroimhe, viz., 600 Cows,
600 Hogs, 600 Sheep, 600 Ounces of Silver,
600 Mantles, and 600 Tun of Iron, Yearly ;
which was paid during the Reigns of 40
Kings successively thereafter," — MacCur-
tin's "Brief Discourse in Vindication of the
Antiquity of Ireland," part i., pp. 92, 93.
37 See a very full account of events chro-
nicled under this monarch's reign in O'Ma-
hony's Keating's " History of Ireland,"
book i., part i., chap, vii., pp. 328 to 360.
3^ The exact position of this site will be
found on the adynirable map, which illus-
trates '* Monuments of Tara Hill restored
from Ancient Documents." See "Trans-
actions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol.
xviii. Antiquities, sec. iii. "On the His-
tory and Antiquities of Tara Hill." By
George Petrie, Esq., R.H.A., M.R.I.A, p.
152. This most erudite paper was read 24th
of April, and 8th and 22nd of May, 1837.
39 In the "Dinnseanchus," where the two
Claenfearts are placed to the west of Rath
Grainne, it is stated, that the virgins were
slaughtered in the Southern Claenfeart. See
ibid., -p. 142.
4° It has been supposed, these were vestal
virgins. See ibid., p. 2l8.
4' See /^/^., p. 151.
4» Cuan O'Lochain, an ancient poet, re-
cords clAoinpe|\CA tiA clAon cAingni,
which is Englished "The Claenferts of the
treacherous covenant." See ibid.^ p. 144.
120
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
was unjust ; for, constituted as Ireland had then been, not alone difficulties
were experienced in distributing the assessment, but in collecting it, at stated
intervals. Still, the Leinstermen were protected from the depredations of
their southern adversaries, the Munstermen,43 by Cairbre Liffeachair,'** the
son of King Cormac. The tanists and people of Leinster do not seem to
have been sufficiently powerful to resist effectively the Ard-righs of the king-
dom, until after the introduction of Christianity into Ireland,'»5 when, under the
leadership of the renowned Crimthan Kinsellagh, dynast of South Leinster,
and of Illand, the enterprising and valiant dynast of Northern Leinster, the
Lagenians began to cope with the last Pagan monarch, Laeghaire.*^ The
latter potentate appears to have been tenacious of his prerogatives ; for,
during his term of rule, he inflicted a great defeat on the Lagenians, towards
the middle of the fifth century. The very year in which it has been sup-
posed St. Brigid was born,47 viz. a.d. 456, Leinster is said to have been de-
vastated. Other writers place this raid at an earlier period. Such reverse
seems to have been retrieved, about a.d. 460, at the battle of Athdara,*^
fought by the Leinstermen, against Laogaire.49 The place is said to have
been in Kildare County. 5° This defeat of the monarch Laoighaire is re-
ferred to A.D. 457,5^ 458,5^ 459, 461,53 or 465,54 by other authorities. ss It is
said, that Cremthann was leader of the Lagenians. s^ While some accounts
refer the death of King Laeghaires? to a.d. 458.58 other writers place it
at A.D. 461, or 462,59 or 464,^° while another annalist has it, so late as 470.^^
The "Annals of Ulster"' refer to a.d. 464, the first war of Airdacorann,
which was carried on by the Lagenians,^^ while the battle of Ard-Coran^3 is
43 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i,, pp. 118, 119.
^ The events of his reign are set forth in
O'Flaherty's "Ogygia," Pars, iii., cap.
Ixx., Ixxi., Ixxii., pp. 341 to 357.
45 In the following resumi of wars, noted
throughout the subsequent epoch, it is often
difficult to determine the special causes that
gave rise to them. Yet, it will be seen, for
the most part, these battles were fought
either on the northern parts of Leinster, or
within the territories of Meath. The most
vengeful and inveterate raids were between
the Hy-Nialls or Leith Cuinn people, and
the Lagenians or Leinstermen. It must be
observed, if our Irish kings and toparchs ad-
vised or accepted war — unlike some modem
statesmen — they were obliged personally to
assume the post of danger as commanders-
in-chief, when their clansmen were called to
the field of slaughter.
4*^ See the events of his reign chronicled
in Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. i., pp. 128 to 145.
47 According to the *' Annals of Inis-
fallen."
4* On the River Barrow. See Haverty's
" History of Ireland, Ancient and Modem,"
chap, ix., p. 74.
49 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. "Annales
Inisfalenses, " p. 3.
so See L'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "His-
toire d'lrlande," tome i., part ii., chap, ii.,
p. 263,
5» See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 142, 143.
s^The *' Annales Ultonienses" place the
battle of Cath Atha Dara at this year or at
A.D. 459. See Dr. O'Conor's " Remm
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus iv., p. 4.
53 Ibid.
54 See ** Annales Buelliani," or " Annals
of Boyle," p. 2, tomus ii. Dr. O'Conor's
"Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores."
55 The "Chronicum Scotorum" has this
event at A.d. 459. See W. M. Hennessy's
edition, pp. 26, 27.
s^The "Ulster Annals" make a third
entry of this battle, at A.D. 461, where they
add, we must suppose regarding the Leinster-
men, " quibus Cremthan tunc pre-erat."
57 At Greallach Daiphil, on the side of
Cais in Magh Life, according to the " Chror
nicum Scotorum," edited by William M.
Hennessy, pp, 26, 27.
5^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. 4., pp. 144, 145.
59The "Annals of Ulster" have this
event at either year, 461 and 462, while the
place is called Greallagh Griaifil, near or
beyond the territory of Cassie, in the plain
of the Liffey. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus iv., p. 4.
^The " Annals of Inisfallen" state, that
at A. D. 464, the death of Laogire Mac Neill
took place at Grallach-da-ball, between
two hills, called Hibemia and Albania.
See ibid., tomus ii., p. 3.
^' See the "Annals of Boyle," at A.D.
470, p. 3, ibid.
^' See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
camm Scriptores," tomus iv., p. 5.
^3 This place has not been identified.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
121
assigned to a.d. 467, by the "Annals of Inisfallen."^* In the year 464,'^s
or 468,^^ the Leinstermen were again in arms, against the supreme monarch.
The " Annals of Inisfallen" refer, however, to a.d. 471,^7 that war of Dumai
Achir,^^ according to the book of Cuanac, which was carried on against
Oilill Molt, King of Ireland.^9 Illand, the Prince of North Leinster, was
victor in this engagement. 7° The boxing-battle of Bri-Ele, supposed to have
taken place at the hill of Croghan, in the King's County, does not appear to
have been a very formidable encounter. Probably it was only a pugilistic
contest, between certain selected champions of Leinster and Meath. The
monarch, Oilill Molt, seems to have been present, either as a combatant, or
as a spectator. Its occurrence is variably referred to a.d. 468,7^ 473, 475,
471,72 or 481.73 The Irish poet, Gilda Modud of Ardbraccan, states, that
after Oilill-Molt had passed twenty years of a victorious life,74 Lugad the
Strong, and the son of Laogaire, slew him by a most lamentable action.7S
This occurred at the battle of Ocha,76 ^^ which allusion has been already
made. Under another form of name, we meet with an account, at the year
477,77 regarding this battle of Uchbad, which was fought against the Lage-
nians, by Crimthann, or by Fiachra garrulo, or " the garrulous,'' son to Coel-
ban, son of Cruinnius, from Dalaradia.73 At the year 478,79 or at 483,^° we
have an account regarding the murder of Crimthan, son to Enna Censelach,
son to Breasal Belac, King of Leinster. This seems to be confounded with
^* See ibid., tomus ii., p. 3.
^s See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 146, 147.
^According to the "Annals of Ulster,"
^ See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii., p. 3.
'" In English, Aichir's or Heber's Mount :
this place has not been identified. See Dr.
O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Mas-
ters," vol i., n. (1), p. 146.
^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. " Annales
Ultonienses" p. 5. The " Annals of Ul-
ster" have an entry at A. D. 474, and again
at A.D. 476, as if the true date for this
battle of Duma Achir were a matter of
doubt. See ibid., p. 6.
7° "The Annals of Inisfallen." Ibid.,
tomus ii., p. 3.
7' According to Dr. O'Donovan's " An-
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp.
148, 149, and nn. (u, w), ibid.
7=^ The " Annals -of Ulster" have it en-
tered at each of these three years, as if
there were different authorities for each
statement. See Dr. Charles O'Conor's
•• Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
iv., p. 6.
73 The "Annals of Boyle" enter it at this
date. See ibid., tomus ii., p. 3.
7* MacCurtin states, that his reign com-
menced A.D. 453 and ended 473. See " A
Brief Discourse in Vindication of the Anti-
quity of Ireland," part ii., pp. 155, 156.
75 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus i. Prologo-
mina, pars i., pp. cxlix., clxvii.
7^ This is supposed to have been fought
in Meath, and not iar from Tara. Lughaidh,
son of Laoighaire, too young at the time of
his father's death to contest the succession,
seems to have obtained the crown by form-
ing a strong confederacy of provincial kings
and toparclis. See Haverty's ' ' History of
Ireland," chap, ix., p. 75.
77 See the " Annals of Inisfallen." Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus ii., pp. 3, 4.
7^ In the " Annals of Ulster," a notice of
this battle of Ocha is entered, under A.D.
482, and again under A. D. 483, in that old
translation, found in the Clarendon MS.,
tom. 49. There we read: "482. Bellum
Oche, in quo cecidit Ailill Molt manu Lugh
mic Laogaire, et Muritrti mic Erca. A
Concobaro filib Nessa usque ad Cormac filium
Art anni 208. A Cormac usque ad hoc bellum
206, «/Cuana scripsit.'' And again : "483.
Ju^ulatio Crimthain, mac Enna Censelaich,
Regis Lagenie, mic Bressail Bealaich, mic
Cathair moir, Et hoc anno the battle [called]
Cath Ocha, secundum alios, by Lugad and
by Murtagh mac Erca, and by Fergus Cer-
vail, mac (vonnell Crimthain, and by Fi-
achra Lon, the King of Dal-Araide."
79 According to the "Annals of Inisfal-
len," which have this statement. A.D. 478.
The war of Granaird. Finchad, King of
Leinster fell. According to some, Meice
Eirce was the conqueror, but others state
Coirpre was the victor. See Dr. O'Conor's
" Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii., p. 4.
^° This is the year assigned by O'FIa-
herty for the accession of Lugad, the son of
Laogaire, to the sovereignty of Ireland.
See " Ogygia," pars iii., cap. xciii., p>430*
Other accounts differ as to date.
122 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the following entry. At the year 485, we find a record concerning the first
war of Granearad, in which Cairpre Mac Neill — the ninth hostage — was
victor. There fell Finchat, the son of Ere, according to some writers, while
he was a victor, in the opinion of others.^' Again, this same first war of
Graine is entered a third time, at a.d. 486,^^ in the Ulster Annals. During
this contest, Crimthan Censalach received a deadly wound.^3 There he is
said to have slain Echadh. Notwithstanding, the " Annals of Inisfallen,"
while recording such events at 478, still defer, to the year 480, the death of
Crimthan Censelach.^* He probably lingered two years, and as an effect of
his wounds death then ensued.^s in a.d. 485, the war of Sratha-Conaill
was waged. Fiach Mac Finchada, King of Leinster, fell in this engagement,
while Eochu Mac Corpri was victor. ^^ Yet, this historical episode is deferred
to A.D. 494, by the annalist Tigernach.^y The Pagan brother of King Lea-
ghaire, who is called Cairbre, son to Niall of the Nine Hostages, fought and
won the battle of Tailteen,^^ in East Meath,^9 against the Lagenians. Some
accounts have this battle at a.d. 491, while other writers enter it, at a.d. 494^°
or 495. In conjunction with his brother Ailill, Eochaidh Guineach,^^ and
Muircheartach Mac Earca,92 Illand gave batde to ^ngus, son of Natfraich,
and the first Christian King of Munster.93 This was the religious prince
who had been baptized by St. Patrick,94 at Cashel. The locality of this
decisive engagement was in the plain of Magh-Fea, four miles east of
Leighlin, and within the county of Carlow. The spot, formerly called Cell-
osnada, or Ceann-Losnada, is now named Kelliston. Mr. O' Donovan says,
that there exists among the old natives of the place a most curious and
remarkably vivid tradition of this batde, which explains the Irish name of
the place denoting " church of the groans f and which it received, according
to this tradition, from the lamentations of the Munster women, after the loss
of their husbands and brothers in the battle.95 On the 8th of the October
Ides, A.D. 489,96 the King of Munster97 and his queen, Eithne Huathach,98
8' See the " Annals of Ulster." Dr. edition of the ** Annals of Tigemach," at
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- a.d. 490.
tores," tomus iv., p. 7. 52 He is called ** Alliachensis Rex," or
^"^ See ibid. ** King of Aileach," in Tigernachi Annales,
^3 At Granairdor Graine. pp. 123, 124. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum
^4 See ibid.y tomus ii., p. 4. Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
^SThe battle of Graine or Granard is said 93 See Miss M. F. Cusack's " Illustrated
to have been fought among the Leinstermen History of Ireland," chap, ix., p. 130.
themselves. See Dr. O'Donovan's '*An- ^4 This narrative is to be found in IPetrus
nals of the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 150, de Natalibus, lib. iii., cap. 204, and in the
151. Life of St. Patrick, byjoceline, cap. Ixxiv.
*^See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni- 's This, however, though a very natural turn
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis- for tradition to have given it, is not the true
falenses, p. 4. form of the name ; folf it appears, from an
^7 Where he enters, CAch Si\Ac'hA. (Prse- ancient historical tale, preserved in " Le-
lium Srathense.) See ?i5z^., p. 124. abhar-na-h-Uidhri," that it was first written
®^ A.D. 491, according to the "Chronicum Ceann-Losnada, which is also the form of
Scotorum," pp. 32, 33, and Dr. O'Dono- the name given in the " Annals of Ulster."
van's ** Annals of the Four Masters," vol. In the latter annals, a notice of this battle
i., pp. 154, 155. The "Annals of Ulster" is thus entered, "a.d. 489. Belluni Cinn
place it at A.d. 494, or 495. Losnado, ubicecidit A^nga?,, Jilius Natfraich,
^ See ibid., n. (p). righ Mumhan, ut Guana scripsit." See Dr.
5«'The "Annals of Tigemach," at A.D. O'Donovan's work, vol. i,, n. (n), p. 152.
494, enter CAch CAillcen. See Dr. 9^ In Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberai-
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip- carum Scriptores," the Annals of Inisfallen
tores," tomus ii. Tigernachi Annales, p. have the Battle of Killosnat, at a.d.
125. cccCLXXXiv. See tomus ii., p. 4. The
9' This word is interpreted " vulnerator," Four Masters and the Annals of Ulster— the
or the " wounder," by Dr. O'Conor, in his latter quote Guana as authority—place "Bel-
February i.] LIVES OI' THE IRISH SAINTS.
123
fell in this engagement.99 According to one account, the chief enemy of
iEngus'°° is said to have been Illand.'°' A different narrative has it, that
Ailill was the cause of this slaughter, ^°^ while some other statements aver,'°3
that Muirchertach Mac Earca, afterwards monarch of Ireland, slew .^ngus
at this battle of Kill-0snaidh.^°4 His death appears to have excited much
sympathy and sorrow ;^°5 for, personally, he was amiable and respected. ^°*
Such does not seem to have been the case, in reference to his wife ; who,
probably, was over-haughty, and revengeful or ambitious, '°7 as she is re-
presented to have been intriguing and unscrupulous. She thus obtained
an undesirable surname, " the hateful. ''^°2 St. Kieran, the patron saint of
Ossory, is said to have predicted the untimely death of both herself and her
husband on the same day.'°9
The battle of Sleamhain,"° in Westmeath,"^ was fought a.d. 492, by Cairbre,
alreadymentioned, against the Lagenians. "''The "ChronicumScotorum'' states,
however, that Eochaidh, son of Coirpre, was here the victor. Tighernach
dates this event at a.d. 49 7, "^ while the " Ulster Annals" have it a.d. 498."*
lum Cinnlosnado at 489, or according to
others at 490. See " Annales Ultonienses,"
tomus iv., p. 8, ibid. Again, the ** Annals
of Tighernach" place the battle of Cillosnad
at A.D. 490. See ibid., tomus ii., pp. 123,
124.
57 According to the " Annals of the Four
Masters," of this celebrated battle it was
said : —
" Died the branch, the spreading tree of
gold,
Aenghus the laudable, son of Nadfraech,
His prosperity was cut off by Illann,
In the battle of Cell-Osnadha the foul,"
— O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., pp. 152, I53-
^ She was sister of Crimthann, King of
Hy-Kinsellagh.
99 See O'Mahony's Xeating's ** History of
Ireland," book ii., part ii., chap, i., p. 421.
^°° His daughter Uctdelb or Ughdelve was
the wife of Oilild Molt, supreme Monarch
of Ireland.
^°' The reader is referred to a statement
in a previous note, as also to the account
given by the ancient writer of St. Kieran's
Acts. See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum
HibemisB," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani,
cap. xix., p. 460. Brogan, the Devout, has
given a similar narrative in his tract " On
the heroic Actions of the Leinster Kings."
"^ Such is the account of Dubtach O'Lu-
gair.
^°3 Johannes Dubaganus, and two other
anonymous authors, in a " Catalogue of the
Kings of Munster."
^°'* Colgan says, that all these varying ac-
counts can be reconciled, in the account of
iEngus's death, noticed under A.D. 489, in
the "Annals of the Four Masters;" as
those persons there named were partici-
pators in the battle fought against the King
of Munster.
^°5The old writer of St. Kieran's Acts al-
ludes to this event in the following words :
** et haec cedes maxima abusio erat."
*°' Regarding his death, the following
translation of an Irish poem states : —
" A branch of the great spreading tree
died —
iEngus the praiseworthy, son of Nath-
fraeich ;
His head was left with lollann,
In the battle of foul Cill-Osnaigh."
— ** Chronicum Scotorum." "William M.
Hennessy's translation, p. 31.
'°7 The ancient writer of the Life of St.
Kieran, whose acts will be found at the 5th
of March, tells us that ^ngus and his queen
were killed, in consequence of a prophecy
of St. Kieran, fulfilled at the battle of
Ceall-Osnaidh.
^^8 See William M. Hennessy's " Chro-
nicum Scotorum," pp. 30, 31.
^°9See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemise," V. Martii. Vita S. Kierani, cap.
xix., p. 460.
"° While Dr. O'Donovan states, that in
Meath and Ulster, the word j-leAtriAin
means "slimy" or " slippery," and "land
bearing elms ;" Dr. Joyce seems to derive
it from sleibhin (slayveen), the diminutive
of sliabh, and applied to a little hill. See
"The Origin and History of Irish Names
of Places," part iv., chap, i., p. 367.
"^ Sleamhain, modernized, Slewen, or
Slane, is now represented by the townlands,
Slanelieg and Slanemore, in the parish of
Dysart, baronies of Moycashel and Maghera-
dernon. See "Ordnance Survey Town-
land Maps for the County of Westmeath,"
Sheet 18.
"" See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 154, 155 and n.
(q).
"3 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores." The " Annals of Tiger-
nach" have at AD. 497, CAch SteAmnA
mi-oe. Tomus ii., p. 125.
"4 See ibid., tomus iv., " Annales Ulto-
nienses," p. 9.
124
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Again, Eocha, son of Cairbre, was victorious"^ over Fiach Mac Finnchada,
a king of Leinster, who fell in the second battle of Granairet, or Graine,"^
A.D. 494, or 496."7 The battle of Innimore, or Inde Mor, in the territory
of Congabhla, was fought against the Leinstermen,. and their leader Illann,
son of Dunlaing. Murcheartach Mac Earc was victorious. This engage-
ment took place, according to some accounts, in 492"^ or 497, "9 while
certain writers have it entered at a.d. 499,"° and others at a.d. 500."*
Tigernach records the battle of Innimor at a.d. 503. "^^ During the reign of
Lugaidh, Ard-Righ,"3 the war of Saegre or Saeghais was carried on a.d.
494, according to the " Annals of Inisfallen,""4 while those of Tigernach^s
place that event at the year 500. The " Annals of the Four Masters" register
this battle of Seaghais, at a.d. 499, which is said to correspond with a.d. 504."^
Muircheartach Mac Erca became a guarantee between Duach Teangumha,"7
King of Connaught, and his brother Eochaidh Tirmcharna. The latter was
foster-father and uncle to Duiseach. She was wife to Muircheartach, and
daughter to Duach Teangumha."^ She is said to have instigated her husband
to avenge a wrong done by her father, who had taken Eochaidh a prisoner,
and contrary to his agreement with Muircheartach. Accordingly, four en-
gagements seem to have been fought between the Hy-Nialls and the Con-
naughtmen, in all of which the latter were defeated. "9 The battles of
Dealga, of Mucramha and Tuaim Drubha were followed up by the battle of
Segsa against " Duach of the Brass Tongue."'3o Here Duach, who suc-
ceeded Oilill Molt, after the battle of Ocha, fell.^31 The " Annals of Ulster''
*'S This is probably, what the "Annals of
Tigernach" call at a.d. 495, the CAch
CAtiAifce 5]\eirie. See Dr. O'Conor's
** Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii., p. 125. They also state, that. Fraoch
was killed here by Eochiis.
"^ See r Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Mod erne," tome
i., part ii., chap, ii., p. 271. Ma-Geoghegan
calls this king "Fraoch, fils de Fionchad."
"7 According to the "Annals of Ulster."
See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus iv,, p. 9.
"8 The " Annals of Inisfallen" assign it
to A. D. 492.
"'See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. " Annales
Inisfalenses," p. 4. Also, tomus iv., " An-
nales Ultonienses," p. 9. give the latter date.
"° Thus a manuscript copy of the " Annals
of Clonmacnoise," cod. cl., according to
O'Flaherty.
"'See "Chronicum Scotorum," edited
by William M. Hennessy, pp. 34, 35, and
n. 8.
"=« See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigernachi
Annales, p. 127.
"3 See O'Mahony's Keating's " History
of Ireland," book ii., part ii., chap, i., p.
422.
"*• See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiberni-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis-
falenses, p. 4.
"5 See ibid. Tigernachi Annales, pp.
125, 126.
"^ See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i.,
pp. 160 to 163.
"7 He was otherwise called Duach Galach,
i.e.y the Valourous.
"^'^^ In Irish his name is written "OuAcli
CenjAumA.
"9 See I'Abb^ Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande, Ancienne et Modeme." Se-
conde Partie, chap, ii., p. 271.
'3° Dr. O'Conor thinks he was so called
because of his using the warlike trumpet —
" yEre ciere viros, Martemque accendere
cantu,"
'3^ Regarding this battle, Cenfaelad, an
ancient poet, sang :
CAch Se^hfA beAn -oo tritiAib iTo'o^tiAi^,
lAO boi C]\U ■OCApS DAIA CpUipgVl,
La Duipch, ingin "OuaicVi
CAcVi DeAlcCA, CACh mtl6|\AmA ACUf CAch
UUATriA X)|\ubA,
La cAch SeA^i^A, hi cco|\cai^ "OuAch UeAii-
gutnhA.
Thus rendered into English by Dr. O'Dono-
van —
" The battle of Seaghais ; a certain woman
caused it ; red blood was over lances.
By Duiseach, daughter of Duach.
The battle of Dealga, the battle of Mu-
cramha, and the battle of Tuaim-
Drubha,
With the battle of Seaghais, wherein fell
Duach Teangumha." — See " Annals of
the Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 162, 163.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
125
enter the battle of Seaga — as they write it — at a.d. 501.^32 Seghais was an
old name for the Curlieu Hills, '33 near Boyle, on the confines of the counties
of Sligo and Roscommon.'34
It would seem, that soon after the death of St. Patrick, about A.D. 493,^25
the great fort at Dun-da-leathghlas,^36 or Downpatrick, had been assaulted
by some hostile force. Tighernach places this siege at a.d. 496.^37 Cairbre,
the son of Niall, fought at Ceann-Ailbhe or Cnoc-Ailbhe, against the
Leinsterman, a.d. 494. '3^ This was probably the name of a hill in Magh-
Ailbhe, in the north of Kildare county. '39 Tighernach has this engagement
of Cindailbe at a.d. 499."*° The batde of " the White Hill" is noted in the
" Annals of Ulster," at A. D. 500. '4^ It is called the batde of Kinailbe, in
the "Annals of Clonmacnoise," and it is entered, under the year 501.'**
The battle at Droma Loch Muidhe, or " the hill of Loughbuy,"'43 was fought
against the O'Neills by the Leinstermen.'44 The latter were here victorious, '*5
after a very sanguinary engagement. ''♦s This encounter, called " the battle
of Druim-Lough-maighe," by the Four Masters,'^? took place, a.d. 496, or
5oo,'48 Qj. ^Q2, according to the " Annals of Ulster."'49 This place was de-
nominated Magh-Muirthemne,'5o situated in the territory of Conaille, the
level portion of Louth county. ^si in 503,^52 or 504,^53 the battle of Mannen'54
*32 See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales Ul-
tonienses, p. 10.
^33 These are partly situated in the Barony
of Boyle, county of Roscommon, and partly
in the baronies of Corran and Coolavin,
county of Sligo. These mountains appear
from the town of Boyle, "rising from the
opposite side of a valley at the distance of
about a mile ; their height is not consider-
able ; and, as every part of their surface is
applicable to tillage, pasturage, or planting,
houses may be observed gathering far up
their sides." John D' Alton's " History of
Ireland and Annals of Boyle," vol. i., p. 9.
^34 See O'Mahony's Keating's " History
of Ireland," book ii., part i., chap, i., p.
422, n. 67.
^35 See William M, Hennessy's "Chroni-
cum Scotorum," pp. 32, 33.
^36 The Anglicized form of this name is
stated to be "the dun or fort of the two
broken locks or fetters." See Dr. O'Dono-
van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
i., n. (e), p. 158.
'37 It is entered as Expugnatio 'Oiiin-
leAch-gUife. See Dr. O'Conor's "Re-
rum Hihemicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
Tigemachi Annales, p. 125.
'38 See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 158, 159
'39 See z^/^., n. (g)
'*° See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores." "Tigemachi Annales,"
p. 125, tomus ii.
'4' Ibid., tomus iv. Annales Ultonieuses,
p. 10.
'^ At A.D. 496, it is entered in William
M. Hennessy's "Chronicum Scotorum,"
PP- 34, 35-
'43 Anglicized, " the yellow lake." It is
difficult to ascertain its locality in Louth
under cither denomination.
''*'* See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores, " tomus iv. Annales Ul-
tonienses, pp. 9, lO.
^■^5 The "Chronicum Scotorum" places
the battle of Druim Lochmaighe at A.D.
499, PP- 34, 35-
'46 See I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "His-
toire de I'lrlande," tome i. Seconde Partie,
chap, ii., p. 271.
'47 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i.,
pp. 160, 161.
'4^ See O'Mahony's Keating's ** History
of Ireland," book ii., part i., chap, i., n.
68, p. 422.
'49 See Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv., p. lO.
'50 It is stated, that the forests of this dis-
trict were cut down a.m. 2859, before pes-
tilence destroyed the adventurers, whom
Nemedius had led to invade Ireland. This
etymon is Anglicized " the Plain of the
Sea." See " The History of Dundalk, and
its Environs," by John D' Alton and J. R.
O'Flanagan, chap, i., p. I.
'5' This territory was also called Machaire
Oirghiall, and the ancient inhabitants were
designated Conaille Muirtheimhne. See
Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-Ceart, or
the Book of Rights," n. (s), p. 22.
'5^ See "Annales Ultonienses." Dr.
O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus iv., p. II.
'S3 See "Tigemachi Annales," ibid., p.
127. This writer has it CAch m An Ant).
'5* There was a Mannin- Lough, otherwise
called Loch-na-n Aireadh, in the ancient
territory of Ciarraighe-Locha-na-naimeadh,
which comprised about the southern half of
Costello Barony, in the county of Mayo,
i26
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
was fought by Aedan, son of Gauran. This was probably some invasion of
the Isle of Man,'55 with the particulars of which we are now uninformed. 'ss
The war of Ardacorann or Ardacoraind's? is noticed at a.d. 497,^^8 go^^
507, and 510.^59 Tighernach notes it at a.d. 508.'^ Next, according to
the " Annals of Inisfallen/' the war of Fremaind Midi took place a.d. 499.^^^
The " Chronicum Scotorum," has a.d. 505.^^=* But the "Annals of Tigher-
nach" mention it as the battle of Femmaigh Midi — more correctly Fream-
hainn^^3 — fought against the Berradian Offelians/^4 a.d. 508.^^5 At the year
509, however, the " Annals of Ulster" notice it, in the following manner.
Failgi Berraide or Falgeus Berradensis was conqueror in the war of Fremonn,
now Frewin,^^^ fought against Fiach, son of Neill.'^7 Yet, the tide of victory
soon turned against the Offalians.'^^ The "Annals of Inisfallen" refer to
a.d. 504,^^9 the battle of Dromderg, or the " Red Hill,"^7o which was fought
against them. The "Chronicum Scotorum" enters it at a.d. 512. Fiach
Mac Neill was the conqueror, in this engagement, over the Hy-failge. At
A.D. 515, or 516, the date for this encounter has been entered in the " Annals
of Ulster."^7i The plains of Meath were harrassed by the Lagenians, after
this battle,'72 according to one account ; although, others state, '73 the result
of this conflict enabled Fiach to wrest the plains of Midhe from the La-
genians,'74 whose champion Faibge Berraide appears to have been.
The foregoing accounts are sufficient to satisfy us, that the land of Eire
was " a trembling sod;"'75 during the lifetime of St. Brigid. It is said, that
See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the Four
Masters," vol. ii., n. (1), p. 1115, and Index
Locorum, pp. 81, 90.
^55 The Manann of our Annals is the pre-
sent Isle of Man. See ibid., vol. ii., n.
(m), p. 878.
^56 See this battle noted in Revi James
Johnstone's " Antiquitates Celto-Norman-
nicse," p. 57.
^57 Not identified.
»58 See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores." Annales Inisfalenses,
p. 5, tomus ii.
^ss» In the usual doubtful style, the ** An-
nals of Ulster" enter it, under each of the
three foregoing dates, tomus iv., p. ii,
ibid.
^^ He styles it CAch ^^•DA-co|\Ain'o.
Ibid., tomus ii., p. 127.
*^^ See ibid., tomus ii., p. 5«
**' See William M. Hennessy's edition,
pp.36, 37.
^^3 In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," this battle in Meath is no-
ticed at a.d. 501. Keating places the site
of it in the ancient territory of Teabtha.
It is now known as Frewin, a lofty hill
rising over the western shore of Lough
Owel, in the townland of Wattstown,
parish of Portomon, barony of Corkaree,
and county of Westmeath. See vol. i., n.
(w), p. 89, and pp. 162, 163.
•*♦ Res Failghe, or " Ros of the Rings,"
was ancestor of the Ui Failghe, of whom
O'Conchobhuir Failghe (O'Conor Faly)
and O'Diomasaigh (O'Dempsey) of Clann
Maeiliaghra (Clanmalier), and O'Duinn
(O'Duime) of Iregan, were the most distia<
guished families, after the establishment of
surnames. See Dr. O'Donovan's **Leab-
har na g-Ceart, or Book of Rights," n. (b),
p. 193-
^^5 Called, CAch ■pe^niriAisTii ITIi'oi in
"Tigernachi Annales." Dr. O'Conor's
** Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
ii., p. 127.
16& The " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Westmeath" do not
give this historic site, where it ought to be
noted, on Sheet 11.
'''^ See Dr. O'Conor's Rer. Hib. Scrip.,
tomus iv. *' Annales Ultonienses," p. II.
^^8 In Sir Charles Coote's " Statistical
Survey of the King's County," we have the
following ridiculous account about the deriva-
tion of their territory : "Hy Falgia is derived
from Hy Bealgia, that is the country of the
worshippers of Beal." — Introduction, p. i.
^^ See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus ii. Annales Inis-
falenses, p. 5.
»7°The "Annals of Ulster" term it the
"war of Dromaderge. " Perhaps, the Red
Hills, near Kildare, might be identified with
the site.
'7' These records continue to state, that
Caennfael said, the battle in the red hills
was a vindictive revenge of the heart after
seven years. See ibid., tomus iv., p. 12.
'7» According to Caennfael. See ibid.
^73 See William M, Hennessy's " Chro-
nicum Scotorum," pp. 38, 39.
'74 So states Cendfaeladh, as found in his
poem. Ibid.
'75 An expressive term in our Annals,
when alluding to the prevalence of domestie
fiBRUARY I.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS,
t2i
Illann died a.d. 506, that he ruled thirty, and that he lived 120 years. The
latter account is probably an exaggeration. Even after death — deferred to
A.D. 524^76 in one account — his name was a terror [to his enemies. The
Hy-Nialls then collected a large army, which invaded the territories of
Leinster.^77 Cucorb is said to have led the Lagenians to a signal victory,^78
which was obtained at Fionnabhuir or Fennor,^79 near Kildare, a.d. 506.'^°
Other accounts have it at a later period.'^^ The spirit of their buried hero
survived in the souls of his former companions-in-arms,^^^ and the voice of
fame seemed to speak from the very grave, where his remains were moulder-
ing in their kindred dust. The people of the Leinster province, having as-
sembled in council, resolved on removing the mortal remains of their king
from his tomb. The ghastly corpse had a magic force, second only to his
living presence among them. ^^3 Driven in a chariot towards their enemies,
the Leinster people met them, at a place called Luachair,^^'^ and fought around
the dead body of Illand,'^5 until they routed NeilFs posterity with great
slaughter. ^^^ The success of their arms was attributed by the Leinstermen
to the exposition of their former king^s dead body, and to the special protec-
tion of St. Brigid,^^7 which gave them confidence and courage. ^^^ Thus was
the name and influence of our illustrious abbess mighty with the mightiest ;
and her protection was obtained by those kings and people, who had fostered
her great religious foundation, whenever public and private occasions called
for her prayers and intercession.
wars, at various periods.
'7^ See William M. Hennessy's " Chroni-
cum Scotorum," pp. 40, 41.
^77 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's
** La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 471, 472.
^78 This battle obtained by the Leinster-
men, under Cucorb's leadership, took place
A.D. 506, the thirtieth year of Illand's reign,
according to the " Catalogue of the Kings
of Leinster." See, Colgan's "Trias Thau-
maturga," n. 53, p. 544.
^79 Such is Dr. O'Donovan's identifica-
tion.
*8° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 164, 165.
^^^ See William M. Hennessy's "Chroni-
cum Scotonim," pp. 40, 41.
^^' " Their souls are kindled at the battles
of old ; at the actions of other times. Their
eyes are flames of fire. They roll in search
of the foes of the land. Their mighty hands
are on their swords. Lightning pours from
their sides of steel. . . . Bright are the
chiefs of battle, in the armour of their fa-
thers."— James Macpherson's "Poems of
Ossian." Fingal, book i.
^^3 Such an incident, as the present one,
might well have inspired "the Bard of
Erin," when he wrote these magnificent
lyric lines : —
" And it cries, from the grave where the
hero lies deep,
* Though the day of your chieftain for
ever hath set,
0 leave not his sword thus inglorious to
sleep-
It hath victoi7's life in it yetl'"—
Moore's " Irish Melodies."
'^4 Luachair means a " Rushy Place," but
although there are countless places, bearing
this name in Leinster, Dr. ODonovan had
never been able to identify the exact site of
this battle.
18S « While thus aloft the hero's corse
they bear,
Behind them rages all the storm of
war.
Confusion, tumult, horror, o'er the
throng
Of men, steeds, chariots, urg'd the
rout along." — Pope's Homer's
" Iliad," book vii., 11. 821 to 824.
^^^ An account, concerning this miracle,
is also given in the "Annals of the Four
Masters," at a.d. 506, as follows: "The
battle of Luachair [was fought] by Cucorb
against the Ui-Neill, of which was said :
The fierce battle of Luachair, over head,
Brighet saw, no vain vision ;
The bloody battle of Fionnabhair was noble,
about the body of Illann after his
death."
— See O'Donovan's edition, vol. i., pp. 164,
165, and nn. (z, a).
^^7 See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. x.,
xi., xii., xiii., pp. 551, 552. This account
is abbreviated in the Vita Tertia S. Brigidae,
cap. xc, p. 538, idtd.
'^^ Vita Sexta S. Brigidae, sect, liv., Iv.,
p. 594, i6td., where the saint is said to have
promised Illand a succession of victories, it
IS related, that the brother of the king, on
128
LIVES OF THE lETSH SAINTS. [February i.
CHAPTER IX.
DIFFERENT PLACES CALLED KILBRIDE, ON THE EASTERN AND SOUTH-EASTERN COAST
OF ANCIENT LEINSTER, WHERE THE HOLY ABBESS MAY HAVE LIVED — ST.
BRIGID AND ST. SENAN— ST. BRIGID RESTORES A CRIPPLE— AN INSANE MAN —
VARIOUS MIRACLES WHICH WERE WROUGHT THROUGH HER MERITS— SHE PREVENTS
BLOODSHED BETWEEN CONALL AND CAIRBRE — SHE SAVES CONALL FROM HIS
ENEMIES.
St. Brigid seems to have founded some religious establishment, near the
Irish Sea, and on the western side of the ancient kingdom of Leinster.
There are several places called alter her, in corresponding situations ; but,
it is difficult now to determine if any one of them be identical with it. Hav-
ing for a western boundary a pretty streamlet, which joins the Bray river,'
and which divides it from Kilcroney, there is a townland of Kilbride, in the
northern part of Wicklow county.^' It lies within the parish of Bray,3 a
short distance west of the town, in the barony of Rathdovvn, and very con-
venient to the sea. No trace of a ruined church, however, can now be dis-
covered there ; although, it seems likely one formerly existed, and which had
been dedicated to our St. Brigid, from whom the townland probably derived
its denomination. Besides this, there is a townland and parish of Kilbride*
in the barony of Lower Talbotstown. A small stream passes the village of
Kilbride, and this is soon poured into the upper waters of the River Liffey.
Yet, no ruin can be traced on the site of the townland, which appears to have
been named after our St. Brigid. s Again, there is a Kilbride townland and
village in the parish of Dunganstown ^ — certainly not its ancient name — in
hearing her words, conceived a great desire
to obtain a like favour, to become a servant
of St. Brigid, and to receive baptism. Ac-
cording to the metrical account, the follow-
mg reply was made by our saint :
• * Haec tibi credenti'praestabit magna potestas,
Tempora longa prius, cum hoc regno vita
futura,
Et tua progenies post te tua regna tenebit,
Donee ad extremum, veniet post terminus
jevi."
These promises of the saint are likewise
said to have been fulfilled ; and Colgan, in
a lengthened note, postfixed to this passage,
gives a long list of the kings of Leinster,
belonging to Ailill's race, extracted from
our Annals, and tending to establish the
truth of such prophecy. See ibid., n. 12,
p. 598.
Chapter ix,~-» The Bray River issues
from the romantic lough of the same name,
and runs about eight miles eastward — but so
as to describe the segment of a circle with
the convexity southward— to the sea, one-
fourth of a mile below- the bridge, at the
town of Bray. It has most of its course in
the Wicklow half- barony of Rathdown ; but,
over a short distance above its embouchure,
it runs on the boundary between the counties
of Dublin and Wicklow, * * Though brief in
length, it abounds in attractions, and identi-
fies itself with the curiosities of Glencree,
the wonders of the deep, dark, bosky ravine
of Dargle, the exulting beauties of the
demesne of Powerscourt, and the several
amenities of the town of Bray." — " Parlia-
mentary Gazetteer of Ireland, vol. i., p.
277.
=* See " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Wicklow." Sheets, 4, 7,
8.
3 In the Dinnsenchus there is a legendary
account, that Bray was so called from Brea,
son of Seanboth, one of Parthalon's fol-
lowers, who first introduced single combat
into Ireland. See Dr. P. W. Joyce's '* Ori-
gin and History of Irish Names of Places,"
part iv., chap, i., p. 377. Might the valley,
in which Kilbride is situated, have been
called Magh-Breagh, so frequently men-
tioned in the Lives of St. Brigid ?
^This parish is represented on the "Ord-
nance Survey Townland Maps for the
County of Wicklow." Sheets, I, 2, 5, 6.
5 Still in this parish, there are two old
burial grounds and several raths. See
Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ire-
land," vol, ii. p. 56. One of these ruins is
not far from the Catholic church of Kilbride,
and surrounded by a graveyard. The ruined
walls now scarcely rise above the earth.
fin Daniel Augustus Beaufort's "Me-
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
T29
the barony of Arklow.7 The townland and village are somewhat removed
from the sea, which they overlook. Not far from the town of Arklow, are
the townland and parish of Kilbride,^ in the barony of Arklow.9 The old
church here seems, however, to have been dedicated to a St. Bride, different
from the holy Abbess of Kildare. The church is near the sea-shore, and it
commands a fine view of the sea, and the town of Arklow. ^°
A short distance from Clondalkin, in the townland and in the parish of
Kilbride," barony of Newcastle, and county of Dublin,^=^ are the ruins of an
old castle and an ancient church, which occupy a slight elevation and which
are picturesquely situated. The graveyard enclosure is nearly circular, and
it adjoins a road, near Castle Bagot demesne.'3 Kilbride old church is
within some short distance of the Dublin and Naas road, nearly mid-way
Ivnbriue, k^q. Dublin.
between Clondalkin and Rathcoole. In summer time, the graves in Kil-
bride churchyard are almost smothered with nettles ; and, few tombstones
are now there, while only a portion of the ancient church remains.^* The
choir-arch gives evidence of its being antique ; while, excepting the arching
stones, which were carefully dressed, the other building stones are mostly
small. The church, even when complete, seems to have been exceedingly
moir of a Map of Ireland," this parish is set
down as a rectory in the diocese of Dublin.
See Index, p. 28. The present Catholic
church stands on the site of the ancient one,
and is surrounded by the old graveyard.
Such is the traditional information given to
the writer by Rev. James Doyle, D.D., of
St. Michan's church, Dublin, who has a
thorough local knowledge of the neighbour-
hood.
7 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Wicklow." Sheet 31.
* These are shown in the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
"W icklow. " Sheets 40, 4 1 .
5 The Parish extends along the left side of
the Ovoca river to the sea. See " Parlia-
VOL. II.— No. 3.
mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol ii., p.
368. ■ . .
^° See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionaty
of Ireland," vol. ii., p. 55.
" This parish is a chapelry, and part of
the benefice of Clondalkin. See " The
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol.
ii., p. 367.
" See ** Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Dublin." Sheet 21.
'3 On Kilmactalway townland. Near
Castle Bagot House are the ruins of another
old church, within a graveyard, not far re-
moved from Kilbride. See ibid.
^4 The accompanying engraving by George
A. Hanlon, Dublin, is from a drawing,
taken on the spot, by Mr. John O'C.
K
I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
small ; yet, the walls were of great thickness. Around the choir-arch,^s the
face of its wall is now much broken. A few ivy-tendrils creep up along the
sides of this ruin. From the site, a splendid view of the Dublin mountains
and of the Liffy valley may be obtained. This church appears to have taken
its name from our St. Brigid ; still, it is doubtful enough, that she founded it,
or that she there resided, at any particular period of her life. Although, in
the city and county of Dublin, several churches and religious houses had
been dedicated to St. Brigid, probably at epochs long subsequent to her
decease; yet, we could not presume to assert, that she ever founded or
resided at any of those places during that interval, when she lived in the
eastern and maritime part of Leinster.
In the county of Wexford, there is a Kilbride townland,^^ quite near the
sea-shore, in the parish of Kiltennell,^7 and barony of Ballaghkeene. No
trace of a ruined church is there to be found. ^^ Besides this, on Kilbride
townland,^9 removed some miles from the sea-shore, in the parish of Bally-
huskard,^° and barony of Ballaghkeene, an old church and a graveyard are
yet to be seen. There is a Kilbride townland,^^ not far from Duncannon
rort,^^ and near the sea, in the united parishes of St. James and Dunbrody,
barony of Shelburne. No trace of a ruin can be discovered there, on the
Ordnance Survey Maps. Still, we may fairly infer, that in times remote,
the great Patroness of Ireland had churches, chapels, or convents, dedicated
to her memory, in nearly all the foregoing townlands and parishes. A
knowledge of these facts, however, will hardly help us to determine the exact
place of her maritime abode.
While St. Brigid lived in her convent, beside the Irish Sea, she is said to
have prepared vestments =3 for the holy Bishop Senan. He then lived in an
island,^4 which was situated at an opening towards the ocean, in the western
part of Ireland.^5 A wide expanse of water surrounded that island, and it
lay at a long distance from Brigid's religious establishment. Just opposite
the to^vn of Kilrush, and now constituted a portion of that parish, Scattery
Island ^^ and its famous ruins =7 may be seen far out into the waters of the
spreading Shannon.^^ The vestments to be used in offering up the Holy
Robinson, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. 371, 372.
^5 A great number of old ruined churches =3 These are called "missalia indumenta,"
in Ireland had been distinguished by similar in St. Brigid's Fourth Life,
choir-arches. =* To this island, formerly called Inis
^^ See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps Cathuigh, and at present Scattery Island,
for the County of Wexford." Sheet 12. allusion is frequently made in the Acts of
^7 This parish is also called Kilbride. St Senan, which will be found at the 8th
See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of of March.
Ireland," vol. ii., pp. 212, 213. =s The accompanying engraving, by George
*^ The Owenvarra, which flows through A. Hanlon, Dublin, is from a sketch taken
Courtown demesne, falls into the sea, at the near the scene by William F. Wakeman,
bay of Kilbride. See J. N. Brewer's who afterwards transferred it to the wood.
" Beauties of Ireland," vol, i., p. 389. 26 << jj. jg ^^^ called Holy Isle : and on the
^^ See " Ordnance Survey Townland festival of the saint it is resorted to by
Maps lor the County of Wexford." Sheets crowds of pilgrims."— " The Tourists' lUus-
26, 27. The church and graveyard are to trated Handbook for Ireland," p. 134.
be found on Sheet 26. =7 These are depicted on the " Ordnance
'° See an account of it in "The Parlia- Survey Townland Maps for the County of
mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. i., p. Clare." Sheet 67.
173- =8 A smaller island, called Inishbeg, lies
=' See " Ordnance Survey Townland nearer to the Clare side, and a little to the
Maps for the County of Wexford." Sheet north-east of Scattery. See ibid.
AA' =9 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
=' See an account of this spot in J. N. Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. cxv., pp. 540,
Brewer's "Beauties of Ireland," vol. i., pp. 54 1. Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii. cap.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
131
Sacrifice of the Mass were placed in a chest. This, it is said, was floated
out on the sea. St. Brigid fully confided in Heavenly guidance, that it should
reach St. Senan. Her confidence was not misplaced ; for, the legend states,
this chest was wafted round the Irish coast towards that part of the island,
where St. Senan lived. This happened through a special direction of
Providence, and the box went over sea-courses, which skilled mariners could
only pass with great difficulty, and in well-appointed vessels. St. Senan had
a revelation concerning this gift he was to expect. On that particular day,
when the chest floated near his island, Senan said to his monks : " Go to the
sea, and bring me whatever you shall find upon it." His brethren found the
chest, and brought it, as required, to St. Senan.^'^ The latter told them, it
Scattery Island, and Mouth of the Shannon.
was a gift sent by St. Brigid, and he gave thanks to God, while invoking a
blessing on the holy virgin.3° However, a doubt has been thrown on the
credibility of this legend 3^ — capable of being resolved from a very marvel-
lous story into a narrative divested of everything incredible 3^ — so far as it
relates to our St. Brigid. Although the learned Ussher inferred 33 — probably
from reading this account — that St. Senan had been established 34 at Inis-
cathy, befote the de^-th of Kildare's holy Abbess ; yet, it is more likely he
Ixxxi. p. 561.
3° A somewhat similar miracle is related
in the Acts of St. Senan, Abbot of Inis-
cathy ; but there, the vestments prepared for
him were made by a St. Brigid, the daughter
of Conchracius, of the Mactail family, and
whose cell was at a place called Clan-in-
fidi, near the banks of the River Shannon.
See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise,"
viii. Martii. Secunda Vita, sive Supplemen-
tum Vitse S. Senani, ex Hibernico transum-
tum, cap. xxxix., p. 536, rede 532.
3* See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History
of Ireland, vol. i., chap, ix., sec. iv., n. 65,
pp. 449, 450.
3^ As for example, the vestments, packed
in a chest, might have been shipped in the
ordinary way, and have been consigned to
St. Senan, whom they safely reached.
33 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates." cap. xvii., pp. 454, 488.
34 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani — who re-
lates this legend — makes St. Senan preside
over an imaginary body of Canons Regular.
See "La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S.
Brigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 544
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
did not setde there until some time after her death. 35 Hence, it seems pro-
bable, that the present narrative has been taken from -the acts of another St.
Brigid,3^ and transferred incorrectly to the lives — not, however, the earliest
ones — of Ireland's illustrious patroness.
Like the great Apostle of the Gentiles, regarding herself as subject to
human infirmities, the blessed Abbess felt for the infirm.37 On a certain
occasion, while Brigid was sitting at the door of a monastery, in which she
resided, she saw a man at the bank of an adjoining river. 3^ He was bearing
a burden, and, as he walked along, his body seemed curved. 39 Pitying his
condition, the compassionate superioress said to those around her, that all
should go to the man and help to bear his load. Coming towards him, St.
Brigid said : " Let us bear your burden, for it causes you to stoop greatly."
The man replied, however, that the weight of his load did not cause his
curvature, but an old malady, which had troubled him during his earlier days.
Enquiring about the name of this virgin, who accosted him, he was told she
was the holy Brigid. Thereupon, he replied ; " I give thanks to God, that I
have found her whom I have sought." 4° Then, he addressed our abbess,
asking her to pray to the Almighty for him, that his bodily defect might be
removed. This pious lady told him to enter a hospice, where he should rest
for the night, and afterwards, that he should obtain his request. During that
night, our Saint importuned the Almighty on his behalf. ^^ The following
morning, she said to the man ; " Go to the river,42 and, in the name of Jesus
Christ, wash yourself, praying to God, and I promise, that you shall be able
to hold your neck erect. Until I desire you to do so, take care not to
depart from that place." Obeying the holy virgin's injunctions, that man,
who had been curved for eighteen years, was miraculously restored.43 After-
wards, as in duty bound, he gave heartfelt thanks to God and to St.
Brigid. 44
On a particular day, the holy woman met an insane person, running from one
place to another. In his paroxysms of frenzy, this maniac caused great
annoyance to all that crossed his path. When our Saint saw him, she ad-
dressed him in these words : " O man, announce to me the words of Christ
Jesus, our Lord."4S Although the companions of St. Brigid feared very much
the result ; yet, they had great confidence in the holy Virgin's gifts of grace.
The frenzied man at once became collected in his thoughts. He then said
to the saintly abbess : " O holy Brigid, I obey thee. Love God, and all will
love thee ; honour God, and all will honour thee ; fear God, and all will fear
lo 546. Baiano, in Campania, there may have been
35 See Dr. Lanigan's ** Ecclesiastical His- some natural curative properties in its waters,
tory of Ireland," vol i., chap, ix., sec. iv., n. while the Abbess had her own part in the
65, pp. 449, 450. working of this miracle. ^Qcibid, pp. 312,
3*^ Supposed by Colgan, to have been St. 313.
Brigid ol Cluain-fidhe, whose life is to be ^^ In the supplement for use of the Irish
found, at the 30ih of September. clergy, postfixed to "BreviariumRomanum,"
37 See ii, Corinthians, xi. 29, 30. Pars Hiemalis, we read, ' ' leprosos saepius
3' This circumstance shows the place mundavit, et variis languoribus aegrotanti-
could not have been Kildare. bus sanitatem suis precibus impetravit." —
39 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani imagines, Die. i. Februarii. Officium S. Brigidae.
that St. Brigid was then engaged superin- Noct. ii.,Lect vi.
tending some operatives, who were building 44 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
a church or monastic establishment for her. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxvi.,
See *' La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. p. 553. See also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae,
Brigida Ibemese." Libro Quarto, p. 309. cap. Ivi., p. 533, ibid. Vita Sexta S. Bri-
40 See ibid. p. 310. gidae, sec. lix., p. 594. ibid.
4' See ibid. p. 311. 45 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
4» Certani thinks, that like the baths at Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAIISITS, 133
thee. "46 When he had spoken these words, he fled away, with loud out-
cries,47
One rainy day, after serving as a shepherdess, St. Brigid had returned to
her cell, her garments being saturated with rain.-*^ After a while, the sun
began to shine, and one of its rays penetrating the wall of this cell, appeared
to our saint as a line,'»9 for holding clothes.5° On this she placed her moist
garments. 5^ At the time, a certain wise and pious man preached God's holy
word, while the Saint's attention was so entirely engaged by his precepts of
instruction, that totally forgetful of all earthly concerns, midnight found her
in the same entranced attitude.^' To this unusual period the sun's rays re-
mained within her cell,53 while the garments of our holy abbess hung thereon,
until a certain inmate of the house reminded her respecting that error of visual
sense. 54 This miracle is alluded to in various offices of St. Brigid. ss In some
of her lives, it is added, that certain persons, journeying by night through the
Liffey plains, related how they saw these rays brightening the whole cham-
paign, until those arrived, in the middle of the night, at St. Brigid's ceU.
Then, all gave thanks to God, and admired all the miraculous manifestations
of Brigid's sanctity.s^
In honour of a certain great festival, the holy Abbess had prepared a
sumptuous banquet. Yet, before the time for its intended consumption had
arrived, she distributed the viands among some poor visitors. The nuns of
our Saint's monastery regretted this occurrence, as many persons were ex-
pected to come, on occasion of their solemnity. Brigid prayed to the Lord
that night ; and, it so happened, a rich inhabitant, living within that district,
had been conveying in waggons certain viands,57 which were provided for
the king. 58 Having lost the way, however, it yet chanced, that rich neigh-
bour came directly to the gate of St. Brigid's monastery. Concerning this
circumstance, God's devoted servant, being preternaturally admonished, went
out to meet him, and to enquire about his destination. The fortuitous visitor
was inspired to offer the whole of his store to the Abbess, and he told her,
Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 341 to 343. si See Camerarius, "De Statu Ilominis
4^ The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, who, in Veteris simul ac novae Ecclesiae, et Sanctis
his account of St. Brigid, relates the fore- Regni Scotiae," lib. i., cap. iii., sec. ii., p.
going incident, also adds : " "Was there ever 140.
a better sermon preached in fewer words ? " ^2 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
— "Lives of the Saints," vol. ii. February Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
1st, p. 20. Ibernese," Libro Sesto, pp. 479, 480.
47 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." 53 See Rev. S. Baring- Gould's " Lives of
VitaQuarta S. Brigidas. Lib. ii., cap. xxxv., the Saints," vol. ii. February i., p. 19.
p. 555. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. ^4 The account in the Third Life exactly
Ixv., p. 534. coincides with that recorded in the text.
48 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." See " Trias Thaumaturga." Vita Tertia S.
Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii,, cap. xv., p. 552. Brigidse, cap. xcii., p. 539. This miracle is
In the First Metrical Life, we are told, she related, likewise, in the Fifth Life, with a
returned from tending her sheep. This greater amount of amplification, ibid. Vita
duty had caused the rain to drench her Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xliii.,pp. 577, 578.
garments. Ibid. Vita Prima S. Brigidae, See, also. Vita Sexta S. Brigidae, sec. vii.,
sec. 17, p. 516. p. 583, ibid.
49 In the Second Life, this same occupa- ^s Petrus de Natalibus has a similar ac-
tion is assigned as a cause for her exposure count. See also De Burgo's " Officia Pro-
to the shower ; but, it is there stated, that pria Sanctorum Hiberniae. i. Februarii,
through a defect of vision, she saw not a OfficiumS. Brigidae, Noct.ii , Lect. v.,p. 12.
line, but a tree, taking the form of a sun- s^ See, " Trias Thaumaturga." Vita Ter-
beam.—/(!5zV!^. Vita SecundaS. Brigidae, cap. tia S. Brigidae, cap, xciii., p. 539. Vita
vii., p, 519, QuartaS. Brigida;, lib. ii., cap. xvi., p. 552.
5° The legends in several cases— as in the ^7 And, as we are informed, these were
present instance— give us an insight regard- furnished to celebrate that festival,
ing many domestic usages of our ancestors. ^s Probably the King of Leinster. His
134 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
it was a Providential circumstance, that he had thus strayed, although in a
well-known country. He promised, likewise, to prepare some other provi-
sions for his lord, the king. Receiving an account of what had happened,
the latter transferred that villager, with all his family, to serve God and the
holy virgin, Brigid, as a perpetual vassal, living on her own property. The
king, moreover, sent another waggon, loaded with provisions, for the use of
our saint, on occasion of this great solemnity, so that she was fully enabled
to supply the wants of all her guests. 59 The holy abbess thus realized, even
in a material way, the force of these Gospel words, that for religious fidelity
she should receive an hundred fold.^° A certain queen,^^ among other
valuable presents to St. Brigid, had presented her with an ornamental silver
chain.^2 Having received our Saint's blessing, that queen returned home,
while Brigid's nuns, taking the chain from the hands of their abbess,
deposited* it among their church treasures. Yet, as the holy abbess was
accustomed to distribute all her possessions to the poor, a destitute person
coming to her received the aforesaid chain.^3 Our saint took it from her
church valuables, as she had nothing else to bestow. Brigid's nuns, on
learning this, said to their superioress, " O mother, owing to your generosity,
we lose whatever God gives us through charitable Christians ; for, you
leave us nothing, since you bestow all upon the poor." To evade their re-
monstrances, our Saint said : " My daughters, whilst I remain in the church,
go and seek your chain,^+ which, perhaps, you will find." Obeying her com-
mands, they found a chain, exactly resembling the one which had been given
away. Then they presented it to St. Brigid, asking her pardon. The holy
abbess replied: " Give earthly things to God : He will return you earthly and
heavenly favours.'^^s The nuns ever afterwards preserved that chain,^^ as a
standing memorial of the extraordinary charity characterizing their holy
superioress. A certain leper, belonging to the race of Neill,^7 coming to St.
name or district, However, is not recorded, conclusive evidences of our early civiliza-
in St. Brigid's ancient Lives ; although, tion.
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani — who chroni- ^* The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, re-
cles these incidents — makes all this occur at lating these occurrences, without any seem-
Kildare, without any apparent authority. ing warrant, but the promptings of his own
See "La Santith, Prodigiosa. Vita di S. bright Italian imagination, converts the
Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 280 "chain of silver" in St. Brigid's ancient
10283. Lives into "Collana d'oro," or " a golden
59 See "Trias Thaumaturga." Vita necklace." See " La Santit^ Prodigiosa.
Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xvii., p. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese;" Libro Quarto,
552. Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xlix., pp. 283 to 287.
p. 532, ibid. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec. ^s See " Trias Thaumaturga. " VitaQuar-
xli., pp. 590, 591, ibid. ta S. Brigida^, lib. ii., cap. xviii., p. 552.
^ St. Luke, vi. 38. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. 1., p. 532, ibid.
^* Her name or place of residence is not Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec. xlii., p. 591.
given, in St. Brigid's Latin Lives. But, in ibid.
Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of the Saint, ^ In the Metrical Acts, we have foUow-
she is called the Queen of Crimthan, son ing minute description of this ornament :
of Enna Cennsellach, King of Leinster.
See pp. 35, 36. From this we may pro- " Vertice cui summo fuerat formata figura
bably draw an inference, that St. Brigid was Humani capitis : subtilis lucet imago
then living somewhere in the east or south- Filis argenti preciosa, ac textilis hamis
east of Leinster. Spherula in alternis fulvis prsefulgida
^' It is said to have had the figure of a gemmis."
man attached to one of its ends.
*'3 Almost daily are objects of ancient From the foregoing minute description, this
Irish art and ornament among " the finds " chain must have been elaborately and richly
of our rural population ; and, several most fashioned.
interestin£T specimens have found their place ^' This leper appears to have belonged
in our museums. These furnish the most to the territory of Meath, which is usually
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 135
Brigid, asked her for a cow and calf, which the abbess directed her herdsman
to give. He enquired from our saint, what sort of a cow and calf he should
select. She told him, to choose the best out of their herd.^^ Then the herd-
man and the leper selected those of prime shape and condition. Yet, they
found it a matter of great difficulty to separate the calf from a particular cow
belonging to the herd, although that cow was not its dam. This was told to
the saint by the poor leper, when Brigid desired one of her servants,^9 then
engaged at cooking, 7° to go and assist him in driving home those animals.
Her servant enquired, who had been left to cook, when our abbess said, he
should return to take charge of that work, within a very short time. The
man did as he had been desired, and, with the leper, he accomplished a
journey usually occupying of two days, but he effected it within an hour.
Their destination was towards the north, and to a place, called Brigh-Chob-
thuigh Chaoil.7^ It escapes our present power of identification. On return-
ing to St. Brigid, her servant found the flesh-meat in the cauldron, but not
yet cooked. These miraculous events are accorded to St. Brigid's merits.
All, to whom they became known, were greatly edified.^^
A certain king, accompanied by a large retinue, came to celebrate the
feast of Pentecost, where St. Brigid Hved.73 He spent the eve of this festival
with her. On the following morning, having heard Mass, he set out, with
his horsemen and chariots, for his own castle. When this day's solemnities
had been celebrated, according to custom, our pious abbess superintended
those tables that were set for the abundant refection of rich and poor. But,
among the number of her guests, an insolent or a demented leper,74 through
some whimsical impulse, refused to partake of food, if he did not first
obtain a spear 7S which belonged to the king. The leper was asked, why he
had not demanded it, on the previous day ; while, at the same time, all who
were present pressed him to eat. They could not, however, procure his
compliance. The leper remarked, it was only on the present occasion he
desired that gift. The compassionate abbess could not bring herself to par-
take of food, while that leper was fasting. She immediately despatched
messengers on horseback after the king, to ask his spear as a gift. These
set out, and overtook the dynast, as he was crossing the ford of a small
stream. There they preferred our saint's request.?^ The king joyfully pre-
sented his spear to them, with the remark, that he would give up all his
called in St. Brigid's Lives, " regio nepotum Brigidse, sec. xlv., p. 592.
Neill," that is, of the Southern O'Neills. 73 The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani writes:
The Northern O'Neills principally lived in ** II Re della Lagena era venuto a Killda-
Ultonia or Ulster, during our Saint's life- ria," &c. — La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di
time. See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga," S. Brigida Ibernese." Libre Quarto, p.
n. 26, p. 543. 303, Yet, although it may fairly be inferred,
^2 These incidents are related, as if occur- - that he was the King of Leinster, that he
ring while St. Brigid was at Kildare— a came to Kildare, on this occasion, cannot
gratuitous, yet a probable supposition— of be established from those accounts con-
Abbate D. Giacomo Certani. See "La tained in St. Brigid's more ancient Lives.
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida 74 in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 290 to 292. St. Brigid, pp. 35, 36, he is called "Lo-
^ The Third Life calls him a carter or man, Brigid's leper," as if he were some
groom. person kept in her employment, or some
7° As we are told, the servant was boiling charitably maintained poor simpleton, whose
some meat in a cauldron. mind and body were wasted through
7' See Colgan's •' Trias Thaumaturga." disease.
Prima Vita S. Brigidse, stanza 26, p. 516. 7= Several fine specimens of ancient bronze
72 See ibid. Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, and iron spear-heads are yet preserved in
cap. xvi., p. 520, Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, the Royal Irish Academy Museum,
cap. lii,, p. 532, Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, ^^ So explained by Colgan, in a note,
lib. ii., cap. xxii., p. 553. Sexta Vita S. See, Vita Tertia S. Brigida, n. 29, p. 543.
13^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i.
arms, if Brigid required him. Our saint's messengers then asked what
caused a delay, which prevented the king from proceeding further on his
journey. His retinue repUed, although riding much, they knew God's pro-
vidence had delayed them, that Brigid might be released from the leper's
importunity. Giving praise to God and to our saint, the royal cortege soon
arrived at their home. Her messengers returned to the holy abbess with
the king's spear. This she immediately handed to the leper. Then, the
saint and her guests partook of the banquet provided, 77 and while thankmg
the Almighty for favours received,7S there can hardly be a doubt, she felt
grateful to the high-minded and generous dynast, who had so great a re-
verence for his pious hostess.
Unless referred to an early period of her life, it is very difficult to recon-
cile with exact chronology the following statements, contained in St. Brigid's
Acts. The holy abbess possessed that benign and ingenious power, which
could pacify those fiery and passionate spirits, whose ebullitions gave rise to
so many private and public quarrels. Her blessing was the harbinger of
peace. 79 One day, walking near the road-side, Connall, son to Niall — sup-
posed to be the Monarch of the Nine Hostages— came towards Brigid, who
was accompanied by her nuns. Now, the last-mentioned celebrated king
had two sons2° so named ; one being distinguished as Connall Crimthann,^^
while the other was called Connall Gulban.^" As the latter^3 died, a.d. 464,^*
77 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib., ii., cap. xxv.,
P- 553- See also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse,
cap. Iv., p. 533, ibid.
7** See the Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's
account of the foregoing occurrences in "La
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 303 to 308.
79 See L. Tachet de Barneval's "Histoire
Legendaire de I'lrlande," chap, viii., pp.
80,81.
^° Their respective deaths are commemo-
rated, in Dr. O' Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i.
^' Conall Cremthoinn was ancestor to the
O'Melaghlins, who bore the tribe-name of
Clann-Colmain, and to other ancient and
powerful families in Meath. From this
prince were descended seventeen Irish
monarchs. There were nine monarchs of
Ireland, belonging to the race of Aedh
Slaine, who was himself monarch of Ire-
land, from A.D. 599 to 605. When sur-
names had been established, the chief fa-
mily of his race took the surname of U'Kelly
Breagh. This clan settled in the great plain
of Bregia, towards the east of ancient Meath.
See O Flaherty's " Ogygia," pars iii., cap.
Ixxxv., p. 410, and cap. xciii., p. 431.
8^ The Cinel-Conaill, or Conall's race,
are the O'Donnells and their correlative
families, in Tyrconnell, or the county of
Donegal} ; while Magh-Slecht was the plain
around Ballymagauran, in the north-west
part of Cavan County. Here Conall Gul-
ban was killed by the Masraidhe, an an-
cient Firbolg tribe, who lived in that place,
as the Book of Fenagh mentions. The
prince had gone into their territory on a
predatory excursion, and he had seized a
great prey of horses ; but, he was pursued
and overtaken at Loch Saloch, near Fe-
nagh, in the county of Leitrim. Here, he
was slain and buried. The account of
Conall Gulban having been buried by St.
Caillin is said to be an anachronism and a
fabrication of the writer of St. Caillin's
Life, preserved in the " Book of Fenagh."
St. Caillin is reputed a contemporary of St.
Columkille, and consequently he could
hardly have been born in 464, much less
have been abbot of Fenagh in Magh-Rein.
There is much to be read — not, however, of
a very well-authenticated character — re-
garding Conall Gulban in "The Book of
Fenagh," in Irish and English, originally
compiled by St. Caillin, Archbishop, Ab-
bot, and Founder of Fenagh alias Dunbally
of Moy-Rein, tempore S. Patricii ; with the
contractions resolved, and (as far as pos-
sible) the original Text restored. The
whole carefully revised, indexed, and cor-
rectly annotated, by W. M. Hennessy,
M.R.I. A., and done into English by D. II.
Kelly, M.R.I. A. See pp. 89, 91, 93, 95,
97, 139, 141, 143, 147, 15s. 157, 159, 161,
225, 235, 243, 253,265, 313, 317, 323, 325,
359. 395. 405, 409.
^3 In Dr. ©'Conor's " Rerum Hibemica-
rum Scriptores," at A.D. 464, we find, in the
hiatus, which supplies the " Annals of
Tigernach," an account of the death of
Conallus Gulban, from whom the family of
Tir-Connel derives its origin. Seep. 113,
tomus ii.
84 In Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," at A.D, 464, we read:
" Conall Gulban, son of Niall of the Nine
Hostages (from whom are descended the
Cinel-Conaill), was slain by the old tribes
February i.] LIVES 01' THE IRISH SAINTS.
137
and as the former lived to a.d. 47 5, ^s or even later f^ it is only reasonable to
suppose, that Conall Crimlhann was the prince, who addressed the abbess in
these terms : " O holy virgin, bestow on me your special benediction, lest
my brother Ca^:brey^7 kill me, on account of the kingdom." God's pious
servant said to him : " Let your soldiers precede me, and I will bless you,
following them." At her request, the soldiers preceded them, on their
march. When the whole company advanced through the hills, one of her
nuns said to St. Brigid : " O mother, what shall we do ? Behold, Carbrey,^^
the brother of this prince, approaches, and these brothers will strike
each other." Our saint replied, that the Almighty would prevent such an
accident.^5 At the same time, Carbrey came up to Brigid, and he said to
her : " O holy virgin, bless me, because I fear meeting my brother Conall,9°
in these parts." A film was drawn over the brothers' eyes.^'' Afterwards, all
went together with the abbess, while the hostile brothers did not recognise
each other, owing to our saint's prayers. 9^ At length, parting in different
directions, the brothers Connall93 and Carbrey94 even kissed each other, as
of Magh-Slecht, he having been found un-
protected, and he was buried at Fidhnach-
Maighe-Rein, by St. Caillin, as the life of
the aforesaid saint relates." — Vol. i., p. 147.
Also, see "The Book of Fenagh," edited
by W. M. Hennessy and D. H. Kelly, pp.
96, 97.
8s In Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," at A.D. 475, we find:
"Conall Cremhthoinn, son of Niall of the
Nine Hostages, from whom are sprung the
Clann Colmain, and the race of Aedh Slaine,
died."— Vol. i., p. 149.
8* At the year 480, the "Ulster Annals"
record the death of Conaill mc Cremtainne
mc Neill. In a note, Dr. O'Conor observes,
that the territory of Tyrconnell derived its
name from him. See " Rerum Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus iv., p. 6, and n. ibid.
This is incorrect, however, as all Irish ge-
nealogists and historians are unanimous in
stating, Tyrconnell district derived its name
from his brother, Connall Gulban,
®7At A.D. 500, the "Annals of Ulster"
state, that Carbre, the son of Neill, fought
the battle of the White Hill or Chnuic
Ailbe against the Leinstermen. See Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus iv., p. 10.
88 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, ix., pp. 121, 122.
89Colgan remarks, that it is doubtful
which Conall had been mentioned in the
text ; whether Conall Gulban, or Conall
Cremthainn. He thinks, that the quarrel,
here alluded to between Conall and his bro-
ther Carpry or Carbrey, must have had re-
ference to some extension or arrangement of
territory. At this period, Carbrey held a
tract of country, called after his own name
Carbre, even to times less remote. It was
situated in the province of Connaught, and it
lay conterminous to the principality of
Conall Gulban. He had another tract in
the district of Teffia, near the bounds of
Conall Cremthoinn's lands in Meath. For-
merly this tract was called Carbre Teffia, to
distinguish it from the other.
5° On both the foregoing accounts, Carbrey
could be committed to a quarrel with either
Conall ; yet, Colgan thinks the dispute in
question lay between him and Conall Crim-
thann, for these reasons. As St. Brigid is
supposed to have been bom in 453, she was
not a nun, and could only have been twelve
years of age, at the time of Conall Gulban's
death, in 464, while she was an abbess, and
distinguished for her miracles, about the year
475, when Conall Crimthann ig thought to
have died. See "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, n. 38, p. 544.
9' See the account of this adventure in L.
Tachet de Barneval's " Histoire Legendaire
de rirlande," chap, viii., pp. 77, 78.
52 At A.D. 475, the " Annals of Inisfallen"
— changing the form of his name — note the
demise of McConaille, mc Cremthaine, meic
Neill. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii., p. 3.
93 Again, in the hiatus, which supplies the
" Annals of Tigernach, " as if according with
the Four Masters and the " Chronicum Sco-
torum," at A.D. 475, is noted the death of
Conallus Crimthan, son to Niall of the
Nine Hostages,from whom the Clan-Colman
O'Neills are derived, and the race of Aedh
Slane. Seep. 116, ibid.
9* This is said to have been the same Car-
brey or Carprey, an infidel, who refused to
receive baptism, at St. Patrick's hands, and
on whom a malediction was pronounced by
the Irish Apostle. See William M. Hen-
nessy's translation of the Irish Tripartite
Life of St. Patrick, part ii., in Miss M. F.
Cusack's "Life of St, Patrick, Apostle of
Ireland," p. 396. Yet, he must have re-
pented at a subsequent period — probably he
received baptism and became a Christian ;
as otherwise, it is not likely he would have
asked a blessing from St. Brigid.
138
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
if they had been most devoted friends.9s When this occurrence became
fully known, God's holy providence and the fame of St. Brigid, as a peace-
maker, were universally extolled.9^
Again, a legend was in vogue, that on another occasion, when about to
invade the country of the Picts,97 who often warred with the Britons,^^ this
same Conall, accompanied by his soldiers, bearing their hostile emblems or
standards,99 came to St. Brigid. He then said : " O saint of God, we crave
your blessing, for we are about to invade distant territories to defeat our
enemies." The saint repHed : " I entreat the Omnipotent Lord, my God,
that, in this instance, you neither inflict injury on any one, nor suffer it your-
selves, wherefore lay aside those diabolical emblems." Although she was un-
able to prevent the war, God was graciously pleased to grant those prayers
of the holy virgin. On hearing her words, the hostile bands sailed for the
country of the Crutheni,^°° in the northern part of Britain. ^°^ Then, the Irish
invaders thought they had taken possession of a certain entrenched camp or
castle, '°^ besieged by them, that they had burned it, and had killed many of
their enemies, who were beheaded. '°3 Afterwards, the leader and his
95 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 343 to 346.
^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. xxxvi,,
p. 555. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap.
Ixvi., p. 534, ibid.
97 A learned and researchful Scottish
writer has observed, that the Pictish period
of Caledonian history embraces a course of
three hundred and ninety-seven years, viz.,
from the date of the Roman abdication of
the government of North Britain, A.D. 446, to
the subversionof the Pictish government, A.D.
843. He adds, " there can be no doubt, that
the Picts were Celts, and that they were no
other than a part of the race of the ancient
Caledonians under another name." — "A
History of the Highlands and of the High-
land Clans," by James Browne, Esq.,
LL.D., vol. i., chap, iii., p. 60.
^ For nearly forty years after the rule of
Constantine III., the Britons languished
under a continual war, during the earlier
part of the fifth century. See Sir Winston
Churchhill's ' ' Divi Britannici : being a
Remark upon the Lives of all the Kings of
this Isle, from the year of the World 2855,
unto the year of Grace 1660." Sect. i.
Class of Britones. Vortigern, p. 93.
99 Extern to any evidence contained in the
ancient Lives of St. Brigid, the Abbate D.
Giacomo Certani — who records these inci-
dents—asserts, that the standards were orna-
mented with the figures of some false Gods,
and that they were inscribed with magical
characters. See "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quinto,
pp. 346 to 348.
'°° The Picts were called Cruithne, by the
ancient Irish, in the idiom of this latter
people. They are also called Cruachna,
being the older Pictish or Ctltic race of
Scotland. See Daniel Wilson's "Archae-
ology and Prehistoric Annals of Scotland,"
part i., chap, iii., p. 59.
'°' " The geographical position of the
British and Irish coasts sufficiently accounts
for frequent intercourse between the natives
of Scotland and Ireland from the earliest
periods." . . . " The remarkable an-
cient historical Gaelic poem, generally termed
the Albanic Duan, written in its present
form in the reign of Malcolm Canmore, about
the middle of the eleventh century, thus re-
fers to the first peopling of Scotland and
the Irish origin of the northern Picts :—
" Ye learned of all Albin,
Ye wise yellow-haired race,
Learn who was the first
To acquire the districts of Albin.
" Albanus acquired them with his race,
The illustrious son of Isiscon,
Brother to Britus, without treachery,
From him Albm of ships takes its name.
*' The Cruithne acquired the western region
After they had come from the plains of
Erin :
Seventy noble kings of them
Acquired the Cruithen plains."
— See ibid., part iv., chap, i., p. 468.
^°" A distinguished modern historian ha
asserted of Scotland: "The country
crowded with hill-fortresses, small and
great ; they may be counted by hundreds.
They consist of mounds of earth or stone,
or both, running round the crests of hills."
— John Hill Burton's " History of Scotland,
from Agricola's Invasion to the Revolution
of 1688," vol. i., chap, iii., p. 91.
'°3 See this account in L. Tachet de Bar-
neval's " Histoire Legendaire de I'lrlande,"
chap, viii., pp. 80, 81.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 139
bands returned to their own country, with great rejoicing and in fancied
triumph. According to the legendary account, however, all this turned out
to be a complete illusion, and when they had landed at the port for which
they were bound in Ireland, it was only then dispelled. This was soon
learned from the report of trustworthy messengers. Connell is said to have
given praise to God, when he learned that no loss of life had occurred. He
resolved on seeing the abbess. When he came to the place where St.
Brigid resided, '^-^ he related all that had happened. Then, he and his
forces laid aside their warlike emblems, at St. Brigid's request. She said to
Conall : " Because you have renounced these badges at my suggestion, in
whatever danger you may be placed, invoke my intercession, and the Al-
mighty will defend you on my account, and you shall be preserved from
danger."'°s This promise of the saint was afterwards fulfilled. Some time
subsequently, Conall, with a large army, invaded the territories of his ene-
mies, when he obtained a great victory over them.^°6 Afterwards, he re-
turned in triumph, towards his own country. When Conall had nearly
reached his own dominions, night came on, and he entered a deserted fort
or castle, by the way-side. There, his soldiers remarked to him, that they
should incur great danger, by remaining so near the haunts of their enemies.
These, stealing on them unawares, would be likely to follow, and might kill
them while sleeping. The prince replied : " The night is now at hand, and
I am fatigued ; yet know, that the pious Brigid hath promised she will de-
fend me in every difficulty, whenever I invoke her assistance. I believe,
what she hath predicted must infallibly come to pass. On this night, I com-
mend myself and my forces, to God's Divine protection, through her holy
invocation." As had been suspected, their enemies stealthily came that
night on their track. When his pursuers approached that fort where
Connall^°7 lay, they sent forward three scouts to examine it.'°^ On entering,
these only found a great number of persons sitting there, in clerical habits, '°9
with a light in the midst, and with books open before them. The soldiers
had placed their enemies' heads in that order, now represented by the books,
on the perusal of which the clerics seemed intent. "° On returning, his
spies told their chiefs what they had seen, and again the leaders despatched
three other scouts to return and report the result of their errand. As in the
former instance, clerics were seen reading their books. Whereupon, the
band of Conall's enemies returned to their homes. On the following day,
ambassadors were sent to Conall,"^ and these asked him for those heads
'°* This might have been at Kildare, if we Muircheartach Mac Ere were victors. Ard-
accept the late period assigned for Conall's gal was probably son to this Connall ; for
death. The " Annales Buelliani," at A.D. again, at 522, the battle of Detnea (Conaill
487, enter, " Mors Conaill." See Dr, Chremhtaine mc Neill) is entered in the
O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- *' Ulster Annals," as if this might be a more
tores," tomus ii., p. 3. See, also, John correct date. Seep. 13.
D'Alton's " History of Ireland and the An- '°« See " The Life of St Brigid," by an
nals of Boyle," vol. ii., p. 72. Irish Priest, chap, ix., pp. 117, 118.
^°s See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La '°9 D. Giacomo Certani, who relates these
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida adventures, calls those clerics— as in many
Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 348 to 351. other such cases— Canons Regular. This,
'°^ The place where this victory was however, is but a phantasy of the author,
gained is not recorded. See " La Santit^ Prodigiosa. Vita S. Bri-
^°7 In Dr. O'Conor's ** Rerum Hibemi- gida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 351 to
carum Scriptores," tomus iv., the " Annals 354.
of Ulster" relate, at 519, the battle of Det- ""See L. Tachet de Bameval's "His-
nea, in Drumbadh, or in the hills of Bregia, toire Legendaire de I'lrlande," chap, viii.,
in which fell Ardgal, son of Conaill, son to pp. 81, 82.
Neill. Colga, King of the Easterns, and "' From his great-grandson, Colman the
I40 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
which he had taken with him, that so they might be interred with the decapi-
tated bodies. On deHvering this message, the petitioners obtained their de-
mand, and returned to their chiefs. These learned, afterwards, how Conall
and his army had been really in that place, where they remained invisible to
their pursuers. The legend of our Saint's Acts relates, that such circum-
stances, becoming known to the people on either side, caused them to glorify
God's name, and to extol that of Brigid."^ Thus, where iniquity and strife
abounded, her gentle and charitable soul desired that grace and peace should
more abound.
CHAPTER X.
ANCIENT IRISH HOSPITALITY— BISHOP BROON'S VISIT TO ST. BRIGID— THE EIGHT
BISHOPS OF TULLACH NA N-ESPUC — HOLY BRIGID'S LOVE FOR THE POOR — HER
GENEROUS GOOD NATURE — HER GENTLENESS OF MANNER. — ILLUSTRATION OF
SUCH CHARACTERISTICS— HER CHAPLAIN, NATFROICH — ST. NINNIDH — ST. CON-
LEATH APPOINTED BISHOP OF KILDARE.
In Ireland of the olden time, hospitality -was a characteristic of her nobles
and of her simple-minded people. Each tribe had its Biatach^ and its affini-
ties f the stranger and wanderer were welcomed to friendly homes ; while
the bard tuned his harp, when the generous host held forth his hand to the
honoured guest. Should not our great saints then be received with all
possible manifestations of respect while on their travels ? More temperate
than most others, they could partake of wine and metheglin without degene-
racy ; while, their sources of wealth, like the faith which created it, seemed
inexhaustible and bid defiance to prodigality. Kings, with their suite, and
even with their army, often sat down at the table of a poor bishop, anchorite
or religious, and partook of firugal fare, frequently supplied in a most Provi-
dential manner.3
Such was her respect for those men deserving it, that Brigid paid them
every mark of attention and politeness ; while, her modesty was so great,
that she never presumed to look fully on the face of any man.* Yet, she
was always joyful, when distinguished bishops came to her home. From a
circumstance hereafter related, it may be possible, that St. Brigid was living
Great, the Clan-Colman is derived. See find allusions to the biAccAij or "pur-
John D' Alton's *' History of Ireland, and veyors." See Professor Eugene O'Curry's
the Annals of Boyle," vol. ii., p. 72. "Manners and Customs of the Ancient
»"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Irish." Edited by Dr. W. K. Sullivan,
Vita QuartaS. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap, xxxvii., vol. iii. Appendix, pp. 438, 442.
xxxviii., pp. 555, 556. Also, Vita Tertia 3 See the glowing account of L. Tachet
S. Brigidse, cap. Ixvii., pp. 534, 535, ibid. de Barneval, in " Histoire Legendaire de
Chapter X. — 'The biA-dcAch or Biatagh I'lrlande," chap, viii., p. 79. He adds:
was a public ofhcer, vi^hose duties were to " Quelquefois meme un saint voyageur
supply the king's household with provisions, venait au secours de son hote surpris au de-
to furnish necessaries for the army, and to pourvu, et les convives, apres un instant
provide entertainment for travellers. See d'inquietude, voyaient les mets et la liqueur
Dr. O'Brien's " Focaloir-GaoWhilge-sax- renaitre au fond des vases, et remonter aux
Bhearla, or an Irish-Enghsh Dictionary," bords des coupes. Alors on benissait Dieu,
in v. Also, "Tracts relating to Ireland," et le festin reprenait, plus joyeux et plus
printed for the Irish Archaeological Society, Chretien."
vol. ii. "The Statute of Kilkenny," edited ^ Such is the account contained in her
by James Hardiman, n. (e), pp. 4, 5. metrical acts : —
^ In that ancient Irish tract, known as " Omnibus ilia viris dignos pra^bebat ho-
the "Tain Bo Chuailgne," or, " The Cattle nores.
Prey of Cooley," as found in "The Book Nee tamen ipsa virum in faciem con-
of Lrcinster," class H. 2, 18, T.C.D., we spexerat ixllum."
February l] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
141
near the shore of Leinster,s when the following recorded occurrence took
place. Holy Bishop Broon, on whose behalf St. Brigid wrought a wonderful
miracle, came to visit the illustrious virgin. He brought with him horses,
chariots, and a considerable following of attendants.^ Approaching the
monastery of our saint, night came on darkly around them, and they were
exposed to inclement, wintry weather, in the midst of a thick wood.7
Having a revelation regarding this circumstance, Brigid said to her virgins :
" Let us pray, my daughters, for holy guests, who are approaching us, under
great privations, that the Lord may compassionate their labours." ^ Then
Bishop Broon and his companions had a vision of St. Brigid's monastery, and
of St. Brigid, with her companions, joyfully setting out to meet them. Our
saint immediately led them into a large hall, prepared for their reception.
Having taken oft their sandals, she washed their feet, and then refreshed
them with abundance of meat and drink.9 Scotic cups were placed before
the strangers. '° The nuns also took care of their vehicles, as it seemed, and
placed beds for them to lie upon, while supplying them with all things
necessary for their maintenance. When morning dawned, St. Brigid addressed
the nuns" of her monastery : " Let us go forth to meet Bishop Broon and
his companions, straying in a wood during the past night." Then our saint
with her virgins went out and soon found their expected guests, sitting down
in the forest. The travellers thus learned, that God had wrought a miracle
in their favour, on St. Brigid's account ; for, they related what happened to
them, as if the abbess had been ignorant of it. Afterwards, they gave thanks
to God, while joyfully proceeding with His illustrious servant to her monastery.
5 Father John Boland, in treating about
the other religious establishments of St.
Brigid, seems to overlook the statement, that
she lived near the maritime part of Leinster.
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i, Febru-
arii. Commentarius Praevius ad Vitam S.
Brigidee Virginis Scotoe Thaumaturgse, Kil-
dariae et Duni in Hibernia. Sec. V. Kil-
dariense, et alia S. Brigidse monasteria, 32,
33. 34, 35, 36, pp. 105, 106.
* Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who relates
this adventure, makes his attendants Regular
Canons, but without any vi^arrant. See
" La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Bri-
gida." Libro Sesto, p. 481.
7 This adventure is related in the Bolland-
ists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i,, Februarii.
Vita Prima S. Brigidoe. Auctore Anonymo,
cap. xiii., p. 130.
8 The author of St. Brigid's Fourth Life
afterwards adds: "Mira multum, fratres
charissimi, dicturus sum vobis, " &c. These
words seem to indicate, that the Life in ques-
tion had been intended for monastic spiritual
lectures. See Colgan's " Trias Thauma-
turga." Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii.,
cap. Iviii., p. 559.
9 "When they arrived at St. Brigid's mon-
astery, it is stated :
'* Postquam rite cibo sanctorum membra
refecit,
Praesulis et pedibus tepidas asperserat
undas
Ilia sitim propter post Scotica pocula
ponit."
—Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, § xv., pp. 584,
585, ibid. The Scottish or Irish cups here
alluded to were probably "methers," of
which many specimens are still preserved.
In Sir William R. Wilde's "Descriptive
Catalogue of the Antiquities of Stone,
Earthen and Vegetable Materials in the
Museum of the Royal Irish Academy," there
is an interesting account of ancient methers
and drinking vessels, with characteristic
illustrations, part i., class iii., pp. 214 to
218. Also part ii., class iv., pp. 264 to
267.
^° Most probably they were regaled vyith
mead, a favourite drink of the ancient
Irish, as with the Teutons of Northern
Europe. This was quaffed from methers^
generally modelled from alder wood, crab-
tree, sometimes from sycamore or sallow.
They were quadrangularly formed, at the
top, although usually rounded at the bot-
tom. Those who used them drank from
the angles. Sometimes two and sometimes
four handles are found on specimens yet
preserved. See an interesting article " On
Methers and other ancient Drinking Ves-
sels," by Thomas Joseph Tenison, J. P., in
*' The Proceedings and Papers of the Kil-
kenny and South-east of Ireland Archaeolo*
gical Society for the year i860," vol. iii.,
part i. New Series, pp. 54 to 61.
" As usual, Abbate D. Giacomo Certani
makes them canonesses. His local and
modem ideas often lead him astray. See
" La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibemese." Libro Sesto, p. 483.
142
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
St. Brigid had previously gone out to the wood, according to her knowledge
of their case. There they supposed themselves enjoying her monastic hospi-
talities." The holy bishop remained with her for some days. Then, with
his people, Broon returned to his own part of the country. On bidding him
farewell, St. Brigid bestowed a Chrismal^3 on the bishop, v.hich he prized as
a valuable gift. She was accustomed then to give many rich presents to
pilgrims and to the poor. On a certain day, after the foregoing occurrences,
while this bishop travelled by the sea-shore,^'^ his disciple, who bore St.
Brigid's Chrismal,^s left it behind him, through forgetfulness.'^ Recollecting
such omission, he came to the bishop, and told what had occurred, while
his eyes were suffused with tears. The holy bishop assured the monk he
ought not weep, for the devil should have no power to deprive him of a gift
bestowed by St. Brigid. The disciple had left that Chrismal by the shore,
near low water-mark. During his absence, the sea-waves passed over it, at
full tide. The brother, on his return, saw the sea in this latter condition,
and waited for its ebb. At length the waves receded to where the travellers
stopped. There he happily found the vessel. '7 The disciple showed his
Chrismal to Bishop Broon. Then the latter gave thanks to God and to His
holy servant, Brigid. ^^
On one occasion, eight bishops^9 came from a church, called Tolach na
nEspuc,'° in the territory of Hi-Briun-chualann,^^ on a visit to St. Brigid.'*
She then dwelt near the margin of a lake, thenceforward to be denominated
Loch-leamhnachta.=3 The holy virgin felt rejoiced at the arrival of such a
" In the Sixth Metrical Life of our saint,
this miraculous occurrence is more poetically
described, and with those additional circum-
stances of the travellers entertaining some
illusion, that the night passed by them in
the woods seemed to have been spent with-
in the walls of St. Brigid's institution, while
her nuns appeared ministering to all their
wants.
'3 See the BoUandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i., Februarii. Vita Prima S. Brigi-
dse, Virginis, cap. xiii., p. 130.
** It is difficult to say, whether this visit
of Bishop Broon and his companions was to
a convent of St. Brigid, while she was in
Westmeath, or in Connaught, at Kildare,
or at her place of residence, beside the Irish
Sea. The course of his journey by the sea-
shore would seem favourable to the latter
identification. However, as the occurrence
in question took place, after his visit to St.
Bri^d, Bishop Broon might have been tra-
versing some other and more distant mari-
time part of Ireland.
'S It is called "Chrisma," which word
has various ecclesiastical applications. It
is sometimes used for a Chrismal, or vessel
in which the Chrisma or Holy Oil is kept ;
sometimes for the ciborium, in which the
Body of our Lord is placed. But the word
has a variety of other meanings, which will
be found in Du Cange's " Glossarium Me-
diae et Infimae Latinitatis," tomus ii., pp.
338 to 340.
16 The Third Life of our saint states, that
It was left on a stone, which lay by the sea*
shore.
'7 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigid a
Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 481 to 488.
'^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. Iviii.,
lix., Ix., p. 559. See also. Vita Tertia S.
Brigidae, cap. Ixxxv., Ixxxvi., p. 538, ibid.
'9 In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, it is mentioned, that certain
pious nobles, viz., the seven bishops of Tea-
lach, in the west (? east) of Leinster, came
as guests to the holy abbess. See pp. 37,
38. Afterwards, they are mentioned, as
belonging to Uibh Bruin Cualunn, and to
Tealach na Nespoc, which was in that terri-
tory. See pp. 41, 42.
'" It is Latinized " Collis Episcoporum."
'* A sept living here bestowed a name on
this territory, which comprised the greater
part of Rathdown barony, in the present
county of Dublin, with a northern portion
of Wicklow county. In O'Clery's Irish
Calendar, the churches of Cill-Inghine-
Leinin, now Killiney, Tigh-Chonaill, now
Stagonnell, and Dunmore, were placed
within this district. See Dr. O'Donovan's
"Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i., n.
(n), p. 340.
" Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St.
Brigid affirms, that the bishops found her in
a place by the side of Cill Dara, on the
north. See pp. 41, 42.
=3 It is difficult to identify this place. A
little to the north-west of Kildare, Lough
M inane or the Friar's Lough, is noted on
the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the County of Kildare," Sheet 22. By Rev.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 143
company of venerable guests, who were probably Chorepiscopi,^* and she
went to the cook, named Blathnata,=5 to see if this latter had any refresh-
ments provided for their entertainment. Her cook replied, she had not a
sufficiency of viands, and especially nothing in the shape of beverage was
ready. Such an account caused St. Brigid to experience a momentary con-
fusion ; but, recurring to prayer, an angel intimated to her, that her cows
should be milked. When this had been effected, these cows gave such a
quantity of milk, that all vessels in the place were soon filled. It is even
said, the milk flowed in a stream along the ground towards a certain hollow,
which was filled with this nourishing fluid. In after-times, that spot received
the corresponding Irish name, Locti-leamnachta,='^ or " the lake of milk."
The situation of Tolach or Tulloch na n-Espoc in Ui Briun Chualann
identifies it with the ancient church of Tullagh, between Loughlinstown and
Cabinteely. It gives name to the parish of Tully,=7 in the barony of Rath-
down, and county of Dubfin. On a green eminence, and embosomed
among venerable elder trees, thickly interlaced with a few hawthorn and
ash trees, are the ruins of its old church. The semi-circular choir-arch, the
diminutive proportions of this buiiding, and the rude stone crosses, with
other memorials there, bespeak its antiquity. ^^ One of the crosses stands on
the road outside the graveyard p the other remains in an opposite field. 3°
Various stone fragments are scattered around the latter. Owing to these
circumstances, it has been inferred, that Tullagh had been one of those
sanctuaries or asylums, benevolently intended to protect the penitent or the
persecuted, at a time when violence prevailed, and too often fmstrated the
demands of justice. 3^ The existing remains are a good-sized chancel — 25
by t8 feet — to which a corresponding nave had never been built. Judging
by the marks on its western wall, the old nave to which it was added
measured only 1 5 feet in width.32 Here are some curiously incised rude
stone monuments.33 The late George V. Du Noyer and Mr. H. Parkinson
have drawn and described these objects.34 A pictoral illustration35 of the
John F. Shearman, "Lough Minane" is in- and it bears some carvings in alto-relievo,
terpreted " the kid's pool." on one side.
=4 "The early annalists of Ireland give 3i See John D' Alton's ** History of the
ordinarily such a representation of the pre- County of Dublin." The author supposes
lates whom we now speak of, and of the this church to have been originally built by
functions which these dignitaries admi- the Danes, and dedicated to their martyr-
nistered, as shows, that they regarded these king St. Olave, who was slain on the 29th
ecclesiastics as really belonging to the epis- of July, A.D. 1030. See pp. 930, 93I.
copal order," — Rev. P. J. Carew's " Eccle- 3^ "The opes of all the windows have
siastical History of Ireland," chap, iv., pp. been built up, so that the mouldings cannot
127, 128. be seen ; but the mere fact of the windows
="5 Called also Blath or Flora. She is having round arches internally is not incon-
honoured with a festival, at the 29th of sistent with the late date (viz., perhaps after
January. the 12th or 13th century) ascribed above to
=^ In his additions to St. ^nguss the the church."— Dr. J. A. Purefoy CoUes'
Culdee's Martyrology, at the ist of Febru- communication in the "Journal of the Royal
ary, Charles Maguire relates, the foregoing Historical and Archaeological Association of
incidents. Ireland," A.D. 1870, vol. i., part i. Fourth
^^ It is shown on the " Ordnance Survey series, n. i., pp. 210, 211.
Townland Maps for the County of Dublin," 33 Of these two illustrations are given by
Sheets 22, 23, 25, 26. Dr. J. A. Purefoy Colles. See ibid., p.
=8 See John D'Alton's " History of the 210.
County of Dublin," p. 931. 34 See "Proceedings of the Royal Irish
^ This is of a northern order, and sup- Academy," vol. viii., p. 61, and vol. x., pp.
posed to be a perforated Odin cross, by Led- 340 to 342.
wich, who is a very poor authority on the 3S This is from a drawing by Bigari, which
subject. was in possession of the Right Hon. William
3° This is of the Maltese shape, very tall, Conyngham. It represents the scene par-
144
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
old church has been given by Grose, 3^ with a letterpress account by I.ed-
wich.37 Some of the features represented as existing in the last century have
since disappeared. 3^
To our saint, as to a common centre of gravitation, a crowd of poor and
afflicted persons daily resorted, to seek relief in their various necessities ;39
TuUagh Old Church, County Dublin.
some expecting bread, cheese, butter, meal or corn ; others requiring milk
or some other kind of liquid ; some asking for linen, wool and coverlids ;
as they severally stood in need of these various articles/^ And, as works of
charity must be performed by persons, who seek the kingdom of God and
His justice,^^ so this bounteous virgin, filled with the spirit of Christian
magnanimity, could never bear to send the necessitous away unconsoled.
Although, she often laboured under an insufficiency, or a total want of
means, to give alms ; yet, the Divine riches were copiously showered upon
her, in one way or another. The Almighty never refuses His assistance,
whenever a sincere and an energetic effort of real charity is exercised, by any
of His creatures. This was fully illustrated, on a certain occasion, when a
great number of paupers came to our saint, earnestly wishing to procure a
draught of beer, which they asked from her in charity. As the legend re-
lates, she had not this beverage, at the time, to assuage their thirst, and as
she did not wish to refuse these poor people their request, Brigid thought of
tially denuded of trees, with a fine cross in
the foreground.
3* See "Antiquities of Ireland," vol. i.,
p. »5.
37 Ibid., pp. 15, 16.
38 The accompanying original sketch, by
Mr.JohnO'C. Robinson, Blackrock, county
of Dublin, was taken in October, 1875, on
the spot. It was drawn on the wood, by
"William F. Wakeman, and engraved by
George A. Hanlon, Dublin.
39 See Surius' " De Probatis Sanctorum
Historiis," Februarius, tomus i. Vita S.
Brigid ae, Virginis, p. 808.
*° The attributes and characteristics of St.
Brigid are expressed in the sixth Metrical
Life ; where it is said, that various matters
to bestow on the poor seemed as it were to
increase under her very look*
** St. Matt* vi., 33.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 14S
the place, where she might procure it, and how it might be obtained. While
her cogitations ran on this subject, she saw, at a little distance, water that
had been prepared for baths.-*' Asking for heavenly assistance, in enabling
her to satisfy the expectations of that thirsty flock, she besought the Saviour
of the world, who promises every request to those who ask in his name,^3
that he would enable her to convert this water into beer ; so that her beloved
poor should not return more sorrowful than they came, and be disappointed
in their petitions and expectations. For hope, often the only solace of
miserable persons, had sustained them before their arrival, and as they felt
assured their sufferings should be reHeved by Brigid, so must a refusal to
assist them weigh more heavily on their spirits.'*'* Approaching near that
water, the Abbess impressed a sign of the cross on it, and invoking the
name of Christ, she blessed it. Then, He, who had formerly changed
water into wine, at the marriage feast of Cana, in Galileej-^s was pleased,
through the merits of his holy servant, to change water into beer, in this pre-
sent instance. And, as on the former occasion, joy was brought to the
hearts of those, who celebrated the nuptials, by procuring that supply of
wine, which had been desired ; so was St. Brigid rejoiced, when she had
been enabled to present the thirsting multitude of poor, with beer instead of
water, thus satisfying both their requests and their necessities.^^ Thus, she
seemed never to tire in bestowing largesses on the poor and wretched.
Once it happened, there had been a want of bread, in a place where St.
Brigid and her nuns lived. A certain well-disposed and benevolent man,^7
inhabiting the eastern part of the Liffy's plain, came to our abbess. He re-
quested Brigid to permit some of her daughters to return with him, that they
might bring* back measures of corn. When the nuns had been loaded with
his gift, and had set out on their journey homewards, the Liffy was swollen
beyond its banks, to such a degree, that they could not pass over, neither
boat nor bridge affording them opportunity. There had been a ford, at the
usual place of crossing. This men and animals could wade over, without
*' The author of our saint's Fifth Life re- called lepers. See Vita Secunda S. Bri-
marks, en parenthese, "nam et tunc et modo gidas, cap. ix., p. 519. Vita Tertia S. Bri-
balneis tam Hiberniensium natio, quam gidae, cap. civ. , p, 540. Vita Quarta S. Bri-
Scotorum frequenter uti Solent." Frequent gidse, lib. ii., cap. Ixxiii., Colgan's "Trias
allusions are made to this custom, in the Thaumaturga. " This and other miraculous
acts of Irish saints, where we are informed, occurrences, such as restoring sight to one
that guests in the monastic institutes, more born blind, &c., are mentioned in her
especially, had baths prepared for their re- various offices. See "Chronica Generalis
ception. It is likely, moreover, that these Mundi," Petrus de Natalibus, as also various
baths were much used in private families, Acts of the saint,
at a very early period of our social existence, '>^ St. John ii., I to 1 1,
as a people ; and, the Scotch appear to have *-^ See, Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga."
followed our old Irish practice, in this in- Quinta Vita S. Brigidce, cap. xxxiv., xxxv.,
stance, as in many others. The custom, p. 575. Sexta Vita S. Brigidoe, § v., p. 583.
thus early prevailing, has long survived Vita Prima S. Brigidse, § 19, p. 516.
time's changes ; and, even among the pea- *■^ In the Sixth Life this benefactor of St.
sant class of Irish, at this present day, the Brigid is called a noble, and it is said,
practice of feet bathing in warm water, be-
fore retiring to rest for the night, is a very " Ille dedit pueris saccos similagine plenos,
common one. It is supposed to contribute Virginis ancillas dunisitdeniqueonustas."
very much to health and to bodily refresh-
ment, as it undoubtedly does to comfort and From this, it would appear, that the present
to cleanliness. made to St. Brigid consisted of fine flour,
^3 St. Matt, vii., 7. which her nuns carried in sacks. It is pro-
^ In the Second, Third and Fourth Lives bable, those religious were assisted by cer-
of our Saint, the poor, in whose favour the tain boys, as mentioned, when they set out
foregoing miracle had been wrought, are on their return.
Vol, II. L
146 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
much difficulty, except in time of floods. The nuns then sat down on the
river bank, and invoked St. Brigid to aid them, at this juncture. Imme-
diately, they were all transported with their burdens to the opposite bank,
through St. Brigid's merits and the power of God ; but, removed by what
means, or in what manner, remained a secret to them. Coming to their
superioress, they related that miracle which had taken place, when the holy
abbess told them, to conceal it from the world.'^^ Yet, a knowledge of this
wonderful incident could not be suppressed, because others heard about it,
before Brigid had issued her mandate. <9
One day, a certain bishop, with a large retinue, visited the abbess. She
was unprovided, at the time, with means necessary to afford refreshment for
such a large number of persons. The Almighty, however, miraculously and
instantaneously supplied her with food, sufficient for the refection of her
guests. In like manner, on the same day, two other bishops arrived, at
different hours. Those prelates were unexpected visitors to our saint. Still
refreshment was found wondrously provided for their wants.5° The saintly
abbess had a cow, which gave an incredible quantity of milk. A certain
avaricious man entreated her to make him a present of that animal. With
this request, Brigid is said to have complied. But, before the man had
driven the cow to his lands, she gave no more milk than was customary,
with other animals of her class. Afterwards, a generous man bestowed
another cow for Brigid's use. Through a special permission of Providence,
this beast proved equal to the former, in giving a copious supply of milk.s^
At another time, a woman came to St. Brigid, saying : " O mother, what
shall I do, regarding this son of mine ? For, he is almost an al^ortion, being
blind from his birth, and having a tabulated face.s" Hence, his father
wished to deprive him of life." Compassionating the distress of this woman,
Brigid ordered the child's face to be washed in water that was near. Then,
all former blemishes were removed, the Almighty restoring him, through St.
Brigid's merits. This boy was called Cretanus or Crimthann,53 and he lived
for a long time, after the removal of his deformity. 54
The following incidents are alluded to, in many of our saint's acts. A
certain necessity required St. Brigid's presence, in one of her fields, and in
connection with the interests of her institution. Knowing the boundless
liberality of the saint, a young man, addicted to pleasantry, resolved to play
off a joke at her expense, by obtaining under false pretences one of her
sheep, that grazed on the pastures around ; although rich, and having no
<8 See At)bate D. Giacomo Cettani's "La Life. In the Third Life, thefe iS 110 men*
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida tion about the second cow given to Sti
Ibernese." Libfo Sesto, pp. 502 to 504. Brigid.
_*9 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." S" Colgan explains the expressions, "ta-
Vita Quarta S. Brigidce, lib. ii., cap. Ixix., bulatam laciem," to mean a iace, plain like
J). 560. Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, cap. xcviii., the surface of a table, having all its parts of
p. 539, ?^?V/. See, also, Vita Sexta S. Bri- equal prominence, and of featureless defor*
gidae, sec. Ix., p. 594, ibid. mity ; hence, deprived of those various or*
s" See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," gans of sense, to be found in more regularly
tomus i., Februarii. Vita iv. S. Brigidae, formed features,
lib. ii., cap. x., p. 169. 53 in the Third Life, he is called Cretanus,
s* See Colgan s "Trias Thaumaturga." and of him it is very unintelligibly said,
Quarta Vita S. Brigidre, lib. ii., cap. Ixx., "quem affirmant usque ad mortem dolorem
p. 560. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. ci., ccculorum habuisse, sed turn sanos occulos
p. 540, ibid. In this latter* life, the mira- semper habebat."
culous supply of milk is said to have occurred, S4 gee, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
inconsequenceof the arrival of three bishops Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. Ixxi.,
and their companions, most probably those p. 560. Vita Tenia S. Brigidae, cap, cii,
l^uests, already mentioned in the Fourth and n, 49, pp. 540, 545, ibid.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 147
real necessity to appear otherwise, he assumed the garments and disguise of
a pauper. 55 Appearing to sustain upon a staff his Umbs, tottering with pre-
tended infirmity and want, he approached the holy abbess. His steps
seemed unsteady, while drawing deep sighs, and with a voice broken and
resumed only at intervals, he entreated that one sheep from her flock should
be given to him. An appeal of the kind was seldom made in vain to St.
Brigid ; the looks, gestures, and habit of the petitioner, inducing an opinion of
his extreme poverty. His request was complied with, and a sheep was given,
which he conveyed to a suitable hiding-place. Encouraged by the success
of this sportive experiment, he returned again, in another assumed disguise
and habit. Again, he pleaded want of means and health ; and, again he
received a sheep trom the abbess. This he accepted with expressions of
thanks, and removed it, to that place, in which he had left the other animal.
This trick was repeated, no less than seven different times, and with like suc-
cess. But, God would not permit His holy servant to suifer any loss, owing
to her charitable credulity, nor would he allow the young man to derive any
advantage, from his cunning deception. Those, who knew that St. Brigid
had already lessened her flock by seven sheep, were surprised to find the
original number of animals, when counted in tlie evening. So boundless was
her large-hearted charity, that it was often almost undiscriminating. Ihose
sheep, which had been hidden by the young man, were not tound in their
place of concealment, when it was examined jS^ so that the jest, he practised
upon the saint, redounded to his own confusion and ridicule. 57 His day's
futile labour and his falsely-assumed characters were made a subject tor
pleasantry, and directed by his acquaintances against himself. This gave
him more annoyance than the loss of those animals he had surreptitiously
acquired, in the hope of creating some merriment in the neighbournood.5<*
The illustrious rehgieuse exercised a mysterious sway over wild beasts of
the forest, and birds of the air. 59 The following circumstance is attributed
to the all-subdumg influences of the gentle lady's virtues, and it is com-
mended by Cogitosus to the attention of his brethren, for whose special
edification the Acts of holy Brigid had been composed. To show how even
irrational animals became subject to her will and words, while remaining tame
and domesticated, he instances a wild boar, aflrighted by his pursuers, that
fled from the woods. At last, that boar joined a herd ol swine, belonging to
St. Brigid. Finding him among her own animals, with her blessing the saint
caused him to remain there in security, and he became perfectly domesti-
cated.^° One day, Brigid saw some wild ducks swimming in a river, and
55 In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of S7 See the foregoing account in Abbate
St. Brigid — where this story is noticed — this D. Giaconio Certani's "La Sautita Prodi-
deceiver is called a thief. See pp. 4I, 42. giosa." Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. Libro
5" The matter is thus briefly related, in Sesto, pp. 504 to 507.
the First Metrical Life ; according to the ^a Sucli is the detailed narrative, as fur-
Latin version : nished in the Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap.
xlii., p. 577. Colgau's " Trias Thauma-
" Vir importunus, qui postulavit tuiga."
A Brigida propter amurem Domini^ 5^ This is alluded to, in the Bollandists*
Accepit septem Verveces ab ea : "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., Februarii.
Nee grex mde fuit diminutus." Vita ii., cap. iv.
''"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
—Vita Prima S. Brigidae, § 18, p. 516. Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. xix., p. 520.
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." It is in Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. cix., p. 540.
like manner mentioned, in Vita Secunda S. Quarta Vita S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. Ixxiv.,
Brigidae, cap. viii., p. 519. Tertia Vita S. p. 560. This circumstance is thus recorded
Brigidae, cap. ciii., p. 540. Quarta Vita S. in the First Metrical Life, according to thQ
Jirigidae, lib, ii., cap. Ixxii., p. 560, ibid, Latin version :
148
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
occasionally flying through the air.^' These fowl she collected around her,
in great numbers ; for, they flocked towards her, without any apparent ap-
prehension of danger, when they heard this holy virgin's gentle voice calling
them. For some time, our saint caressed them, and covered them with her
hand ; atterwards, she allowed their return to their feathered companions.^*
By her extraordinary practices of piety, Divine power Avas manifested
through her, in the following instance.'^^ There was a certain very strong
man, named Lugid, who is said to have had the physical strength of twelve
ordinary men, while his appetite for food was proportionately excessive.
Lugid asked St. Brigid to petition God in his behalf, that his appetite might
be restrained within reasonable bounds, while yet he might retain his bodily
strength. The saint complied with his request, and gave him her blessing.^^
Afterwards, this Lugid^^ was content with a quantity of food usually necessary
for the support of an ordinary man, while his strength^^ continued equal to
the united bodily prowess of twelve labourers."^^
After St. Brigid came to her own city, certain religious men visited her,
and preached the Divine Word, in her presence. Afterwards, the abbess
told her cellarer or store-keeper^^ to prepare a dinner for her pious guests.
Asking what kind of a meal should be prepared, she Avas told by Brigid, to
set different dishes before them.^9 But, as the store-keeper had not means
for complying with our saint's mandate, she requested the abbess to retire to
the church and to pray there, trusting the result to Divine Providence. As
already remarked, such had been the boundless charity of Brigid, that she
immediately distributed to those in need, whatever the Almighty bestowed
on her. Well knowing the real state of affairs, the abbess told her store-
*' Aper solebat venire in ejus gregem,
Versus Aquilonem, ubi est vallis nunc:
Quern Brigida baculo benedixit j
At cum grege jugiter permansit."
—Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec. xxix., p. 516.
This miracle is alluded to in our saint's
offices.
'* Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who re-
lates this incident, states, that over these
animals, St. Brigid exercised as absolute a
dominion as could our first parents have
practised in their terrestrial Paradise. See
" La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Bri-
gida Ibemese." Libro Sesto, pp. 516,
*'See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. xcii.,
p. 562. Vita Tertia S. Brigidee," cxxvii.,
p. 541. This miracle seems the one alluded
to, in the First Life, as related in the fol-
lowing Latin lines :
" Clarum est in ejus gestls,
Quod singularis mater fuerit fUii Regis
magTii [id est, Dei),
Benedixit avem volatilem,
Ita ut earn apprebenderit sua manu.'*
—Vita Prima S. Brigidac, sec. xxxiii., p.
517. Also Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap.
Xxii., p. 521.
^' So are we informed by Cogitosus.
*♦ See the account in Abbate D. Giacomo
Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di
S. Brigida Ibemese." Libro Sesto, pp.
513, 5H.
"5 Surius, concealing the name of Lugid,
briefly relates this mii-acle, in "De Probatis
Sanctorum Historiis," &c., tomus i., Febru-
arius. Vita S. Brigidre, Virginis, p. 809.
^ By Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, he is
called "vn Sansone Ibemese."
"7 See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xxiv., p.
521. Vita Tertia S. Brigjidae, cap. ex., p.
540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap.
Ixxv., p. 560. In the First Metrical Life,
this miracle is thus introduced :
" Quantas fecerit virtu tes,
NuUus est qui referre posset plene.
Prceclarum qualiter minuerit edacitatem
Lugadii
Pugilis, et ejus non extinxit vires. "
—Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec. 34, p. 517.
^^ In the Fourth Life of our saint, she is
called, "Cellaria," and in the Third
"Coqua." These and similar incidental
notices, in the legends of our saints, serve
to give us an idea, regarding various officials
connected with ancient monasteries and
nunneries, or relating to their domestic
economy.
^ In the Third Life, we read, that Brigid
said to her, " Give them bread and butter,
with several dishes of meat and onions,"
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
149
keeper to go into the cellar, and to mark it with a sign of the cross, to close
it, and on her return to pray, while herself entered the church.7° About the
sixth hour,7^ the abbess called her store-keeper^* and said, " The time for
waiting on our guests has arrived ; go now to the cellar, 73 and liberally give
them, whatsoever you may find there." Opening it, the store-keeper found
in the cellar all those different kinds of food, mentioned by St. Brigid. And
these various viands lasted during seven entire days, serving as refreshments,
not only for the guests, but even for the whole religious community, as also
for the poor. 74 At that time, no persons living in the nunnery, save only the
abbess and her store-keeper, knew whence came those provisions, nor who
had provided them.7s A knowledge of this miraculous occurrence remained
among the secrets of Divine Omnipotence. 7^
It is said, our saint was at a certain place, where there were many rivulets,
yet unprovided with water-herbs, 77 that usually grow in a natural state on
streams supplied by fountains.73 While there, a band of holy virgins, be-
longing to the place, came to visit and to ask her a question. They say to
her : " Why, O mother, do not the water-herbs,79 on which holy men are
accustomed to live, grow in those waters ?" ^° The holy abbess, knowing
that they desired a growth of such herbs there, spent the following night in
vigil and prayer.^^ On rising the succeeding morning, those religious found
7° In the Third Life, the account runs a
little differently, as follows : Brigid said to
the cook, "sweep the kitchen pavement,
close the cook-house ; then go to thine own
house, and pray in it ; I will go to the
church." This shows, that the inmates of
St. Brigid's establishment lived in separate
houses or cells, probably grouped together
around the church — the usual ancient Irish
monastic arrangement.
T^ From the manner, in which this is re-
lated, it would seem, the sixth hour was
the time usually set apart for the dinner of
these guests ; perhaps, too, it was the hour
for the conventual meal.
7=* So called in the Fourth Life of our
saint, but designated "the cook" in the
Third Life.
73 In the Fourth Life, we read that she
was directed to this place, but in the Third
Life, she was ordered to the cook-house or
kitchen.
T< From this narrative and in similar ac-
counts, we may well infer, how large and
bountiful were the distributions of food,
made to the destitute, in our early monastic
institutes.
7S This miracle is recorded in Abbate D.
Giacomo Certani's "La Santita Prodigiosa.
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quin-
to, pp. 417 to 419.
7^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. Iv.,
p. 558. Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, cap. Ixxxii.,
P- 537> ibi'i- Vita Sexta S. Brigidce, sect.
xlix., p. 593, ibid.
77 Most probably, these herbs were of the
species, known as "water- cresses." The
Fourth Life of our saint adds, that many
saints who were accustomed to fast with
extreme rigour in the western parts, usually
fed on such herbs. And in the Sixth Life,
it is said, that these holy men,
" Frigida cum crispis sumebant pocula et
herbis. "
7^ In the beautiful lines of John Fraser on
"The Holy Wells," we have the following
appropriate allusions : —
" The cottage hearth, the convent wall, the
battlemented tower,
Grew up around the crystal springs, as
well as flag and flower ;
The brooklime and the water-cress were
evidence of health.
Abiding in those basins, free to poverty
and wealth."
—Edward Hayes' "Ballads of Ireland,"
vol. i., p. 7.
79 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
Santita Prodigiosa, Vita di S. Brigida
Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 419 to 421.
There these herbs are called " Cauoli Ac-
quatici," in the Itahan language.
^° In reference to the different species of
herbs, mentioned in the Fourth Life of our
saint, Colgan endeavours to explain their
nature in a note. "Per Biisia videtur in-
telligere genus aquatici oleris, quod Hiber-
nice dicitur Biorar & Latine anasturtium
aquaticum, quo passim Eremitse istius tem-
poris & Patrice vescebantur : per Sampsia,
quid intelligat, nescio, nisi forte herbam
quam Latini vocant sampsychum, & aliis
nominibus vocatur amartiais & niaiorana;
vel aliam, quam Hiberni vocant Samhadh^
Latini vero, acce/osatn.''^ — N. 16, p. 566.
^' Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i., Februarii. Vita Quarta S. Bri-
gidse, lib. ii., cap. viii., p. 167.
J50 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
the rivulets filled with such herbs,^" while others grew for a considerable dis-
tance around, and where they had not hitherto been seen. This abundant
growth of water-cresses^3 was granted by God to St. Brigid's prayers.^^ The
fame of our glorious virgin had already extended to very distant places.
Certain men, wishing to recommend themselves to her good offices, came
from afar, and brought with them many presents on horses and in waggons.^s
But, on that day, when they expected to have arrived, those travellers entered
thick woods, where night fell upon them. So dark were its shades, that their
waggons could not be driven through the forest, and they went astray in an
unknown place. However, the holy Brigid had some prophetic intuition
regarding their distress. Praying to God for them, she told her nuns to
kindle a fire, and to warm some water, that the feet of guests she expected
this night might be washed. Her nuns wondered at her saying, that men
were journeying through the darkness on this particular night. Meanwhile,
a great light appeared to the travellers. Its glow illuminated their path, until
they arrived at St. Brigid's monastery.^^ The holy virgin went out to meet
them, when all gave thanks to God. Having accomplished the object of
their visit, and after staying three days, the travellers resumed their return
journey, by that same road they had previously traversed. Such was the
roughness or intricacy of their passage, that they had much difficulty, even
in the day-time, to draw their empty waggons along.^7 Yet, on account of
St. Brigid's prayers, Christ himself caused the rough places to become
smooth, on the night of their journey, while miraculous light guided them
on the way.^^ This incident reads very much like that previously related
regarding Bishop Broon and his companions.
Previous to the residence of a bishop at Kildare, a priest, named Nat-
froich,^y was charged with the performance of clerical duties for the religious
inmates of the nunnery. He became St. Brigid's frequent and confidential
companion. He was accustomed to read passages from some religious book,
whenever the community assembled at their meals. From such circum-
stances, which are recorded in different lives of our saint, it is quite probable,
that this priest was spiritual director of the abbess and of her nuns ; and, we
are told, that he remained with the holy woman, during his whole lifetime.
Natfroich, after his ordination, became chaplain to St. Brigid and to her nuns,
'" The Fourth Life has it, that the rivulets miracle is also mentioned in the Vita
were "supra modum illis oleribus plenos, Sexta S. Brigidse, section 1., p. 593, ibid.
i.e.y Brisia et caeteris oleribus abundantes." In this latter, it is said, she cured many
"3 The water-cress, which grows in our . lepers and sick, as also blind and lame
brooks and rivulets, is a well-known aquatic persons.
plant, and it forms an excellent and a whole- ^s See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
some salad. Its flowers are white, and they tomus i., Februarii. Vita Quarta S. Bri-
appear in July. See James Townsend gidee, lib. ii., cap. viii., p. 168.
Mackay's " Flora Hibernica, comprising ^ The Third Life says, that it appeared
the flowering Plants Ferns Characeoe Musci only to the chief man, among these travellers.
Hepaticae Lichenses and Algse of Ireland In her Sixth Life, he is called "prsesul
arranged according to the natural system, venerabilis," or a '* venerable bishop."
with a synopsis of the Genera, according to ^^ See this narrative also set forth in
the Linnaean System." Vasculares. Class Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santit^
I. Sub-class I. Order 6, pp. 17, 18. Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese."
Dublin, 1836, 8vo. Libro Quinto, pp. 421 to 424,
^* The writer of the Vita Quarta S. Brigi- ^s g^g Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
dse, lib. ii., cap. Ivi., p. 558, adds, that Quarta Vila S. Brigidre, lib. ii., cap. Ivii.,
there herbs of the same species did not fail pp. 158, 159, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap.
to grow in his time through the blessing of Ixxxiv., pp. 537, 538, ibid.
God and of St. Brigid. See also, Vita ^s See an account of this saint at the nth
Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxxiii., p. 537. of December, the date set down for his
Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." This feast.
J'EBRUARV I.] LIVES OF THE lEISH SAINTS, 151
for whom he often read the Holy Scriptures and other pious books. By
appointment of St. Patrick, he attended on her during her travels, while he
frequently acted in the capacity of charioteer. Being thus engaged, the
following recorded incident took place.s° On a certain day, when the pre-
sence of our saint was necessary, at a great congregation, she proceeded to
the spot in a chariot, drawn by two horses. 9^ AVe are told, in St. Brigid's
Third Life, that the abbess — most probably on this occasion — was proceeding
to the plain of the Liffy, and that another holy virgin sat with her, in the
chariot. The charioteer, who was with them, had been desired to instruct
his travelling companions.9» The better to make himself heard, he turned
his head over his shoulder. Then said the abbess, " Turn round that we
may hear better, and throw down the reins." So her chaplain cast the reins
over the front of the chariot, and addressed his discourse to them, with his
back to the horses. One of these slipped its neck from the yoke, and ran
free ; yet, so engrossed were Bridget and her companion, in the sermon of
the priestly charioteer, they did not observe that the horse was loose, and that
the carriage was running all on one side.93 This happened at the edge of a
very dangerous precipice. The King of Leinster is said to have witnessed
the whole occurrence,?^ from a high hill.ss Although at a distance, he knew
St. Brigid's chariot.9° Finally, breaking his traces, the animal ran through
the adjoining fields, in an affrighted manner. By a manifest interposition of
Divine Providence, however, the saint escaped danger, and she continued her
journey with one horse ; another account informs us, the other horse got once
more into the traces.97 The saint safely reached the place for assembly.
Here, Brigid exhorted the people, by pious admonitions ; while the rumour
of her danger and subsequent escape having reached them, the minds of all
present were filled with admiration and rejoicing.92
Her prescience and spirit of prophecy were among the most remarkable
gifts of the abbess. On a certain day, when the glorious Brigid went from
her monaster)^, in the Liffy plains, towards a place some little distance re-
moved from it, in a easterly direction, a young student, who was the son of
Ethach,99 and from a country called Mulus,^°° met her on the way. When
he saw our saint, this student began to race, with all the giddiness and
vivacity of a school-boy. St. Brigid told one of her nuns to call him towards
her, but scarcely could this youth, named Ninnid, be induced to approach
5° See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La that St. Conlaid had first paid her a visit.
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Then follows an account, concerning the
Ibernese." Libro Quarto, pp. 287 to 290. saint's journey in her chariot, accompanied
5' See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." by some of her companions. It is added,
Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xviii., p. that the miracle occurred on the return of
520. Also " Vita Prima S. Brigidse," sec. St. Brigid to her establishment, after having
28, p. 516, ibid. visited the house of a certain holy virgin.
_9^ See "Vita Tertia S. Brigidse," cap. See "Vita Sexta S. Brigid^," sees, xliii.,
lii., p. 532, ibid. xliv., pp. 591, 592."* "Trias Thaumaturga."
93 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of 9' The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani
the Saints," vol. ii., I February, p. 18. writes : " Hebbe costui per Padre Eocadio,
5* See " Quarta Vita S. Brigidse," lib. ii., b vero Eutichio, come alcuni scriuono, che
cap. xxi., pp. 552, 553. Colgan's "Trias fu Figliuolo d'Aido vno de Figliuoli di Lio-
Thaumaturga." gario." — " La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di
95 Probably from one of those eminences, S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, p. 489.
now known as "the Red Hills of Kildare." ^°° Colgan observes in a note, that there
9* See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- is an island in Albanian Scotia, which is
rum," tomus i,, Februarii. Vita Quarta S. called Mule or Mula. Ninnidius spent some
Brigidas, lib. ii,, cap, iii., p. 162. time in Britain. Perhaps, he dwelt there as
97 According to the Third Life. a permanent resident, and may be properly
9^ In the Sixth Metrical Life, it is said, designated as "de partibus Muli,"
152 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
the abbess. When he did, however, she asked him, whither he was running,
in such haste. He immediately repHed : " It is my duty to enter the king-
dom of heaven, and towards that I ran." The abbess said : " Would that I
were worthy to run with you this day towards God's kingdom, but pray for
me, brother, that I may enter that realm of bliss." '°^ The scholar returned :
" O saint, do you in like manner entreat the Almighty, that my course towards
the heavenly kingdom be a constant one. In requital, I will pray for you,
with many other persons, that you may attain immortal happiness." Then,
St. Brigid prayed for him. Ninnid became filled with the grace of the Holy
Spirit, and he performed penance. This youth was a son to Ethach, and he
was from the country, called Mulus. He then began and continued to be
a religious person to the very date of his death. ^°" He is ranked, also, among
the most distinguished of our Irish saints. ^°3
To this young student, St. Brigid then said : " On the day of my death,
I shall receive Communion of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from thy hand." St. Ninnidius replied : " Would that thou couldst live
until thou receivest Holy Eucharist from me." These words he spoke,
because he wished at this time to become a pilgrim. For a long time, he
desired to be absent, so that he might not soon again see the saint, and that
she might live to an extreme old age. Probably, on some subsequent oc-
casion, mutually bestowing a blessing on each other, and commending them-
selves respectively to God, with words of religious wisdom, they separated,
each of them taking a different destination. From the day Brigid spoke to
him, Nennid wished to preserve from defilement that hand, which she had
predicted should minister to her the august Viaticum on the day of her
death. Hence, we are told, he put on it a close-fitting brass gauntlet,
secured with a lock and key, so that his hand should not be able to touch
his body, nor be touched by any unclean thing. Thence, his cognomen was
derived ; for, in the Scotic dialect he was called, Niimidh laffiglan^^°^ which
in English is interpreted, " Ninnidius of the clean hand." Afterwards, the
great Father of our Irish Church caused him to be ordained, although he
was humbly reluctant to assume the sacredotal office,'°5 lest he might be
called a great priest, according to the inspired writings.^°^ This Ninnidius
sailed over to the country of the Britons, wishing to become an exile from
Ireland, for a long period, as he knew St. Brigid's prediction must be ful-
filled.'°7 When Ninnidius entered the ship, he is said to have cast the key
*" See the whole of this account in the arii. Vita S. Nennidhii, n, 17, p. 115.
Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i., "^ The meaning must be, that this humble
Februarii. Vita Quarta S. Brigidce, cap. diffidence, regarding the responsibilities at-
IX. tached to his sacred calling, caused Nenni-
"* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." dius to hesitate at first, until the persuasions
Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. Ixi., of pious persons and his own sense of a
L559. Also, Vita Ter|ia S. Brigidae, cap. Divine call induced him no longer to resist
viii., p. 537, ibid. heaven's designs in his vocation.
"3 In a note to this latter Life, Colgan '°^ Allusion is probably made to Ecclesi-
adds, he was the same St. Neilnius or Nen- asticus, xliv., 15.
nidius, whose Acts he published at the 1 8th '°7 The Abbate D. Giacomo Certani,
of January in " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," with much circumlocution, has an account
xviii. Januarii. See Vita S. Nennidhii, seu of the foregoing and many extraneous cir-
Nennii, pp. Ill to 115. cumstances, in "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
'°'* Colgan refers us to notes, which were Vita di S. I3rigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto,
appended to St. Nennidius' Acts, at the pp. 488 to 502.
1 8th of January, for certain observations on ^^ This narrative ends with an account,
this derivation. The Latin form of his that the miracles and incidents of Ninnid's
name is Nennidius vianus inundce. See closing years were to be found in an old Life
"Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xviii. Janu- of him which had been written. See Vita
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 153
of his manacled hand into the deep, that it might not be recovered again for
any accomplishment of its purpose.'"^ But, as the Scripture declares, no
wisdom or prudence or counsel can oppose the Almighty's designs. And
so the event is said to have accorded with S^. Brigid's prediction. ^°9 How-
ever, it must be observed, that some of the foregoing circumstances are
manifestly the concoction of legend-mongers, and are inconsistent with a
supposition, that Ninnidh could have efficiently discharged the duties of his
priesthood under the conditions, which have been related.
As the Abbess Brigid's establishment increased in importance, the city
of Kildare grew, likewise, in a corresponding ratio. Revolving in mind a
necessity that appeared to exist, for the residence of a bishop there, to obtain
the object of her desires, our saint made application to some of the Irish
prelates. Her petitions appear to have been favourably received, for, she
had the nomination of Kildare's first bishop ;"° a privilege, which the other
prelates might have allowed, on account of her exalted merits, and those
services which she had rendered to rehgion in that portion of the province,
where she presided in her capacity of abbess."^ It is stated, also, that the
bishop appointed, in conjunction with herself, exercised jurisdiction over all
houses of her order, throughout Ireland. Some difficulties exist, in sup-
posing the Bishop of Kildare to exercise jurisdiction over nuns, living outside
his immediate bishopric ; for, although named Archbishop of the Irish
Bishops, "2 yet, it is also well known, that the Irish Primacy had never been
transferred from Armagh to Kildare. With her usual discrimination, the
person, selected by Brigid to assume the episcopacy, was a holy man, named
Conleath."3 He lived the life of a cellule recluse, in the southern part of
the Liffey plain. At what particular period this consecration of Conleath
took place, we have no means for determining ;"4 yet, we must suppose, some
years had elapsed, from the estabHshment of the community at Kildare,
before its erection into a see, and the consequent appointment of a bishop."^
That St. Brigid exercised a certain degree of jurisdiction over the Bishop
of Kildare who was her contemporary,"^ and that the abbesses, who were
her successors, retained such jurisdiction over the abbots and bishops of the
see, have been supposed. This state of affairs, however, is so repugnant to
the spirit of church discipline, in all ages, and even unsupported by any re-
liable authorities, on the subject, that we can have no hesitation in rejecting
such supposition. We rather prefer coinciding with an explanation offered,"^
Quarta S. Brigidce, lib. ii., cap, Ixii., Ixiii., "' See Rev. M. J. Brenan's *'Ecclesias-
PP- 559. 560. Colgan's "Trias Thauma- tical History of Ireland," chap, iii., p. 51.
turga." Also n. 18, p. <^66, ibid. ^" •' Archiepiscopus Hiberniensium Epis-
^°5 In the Fifth Life of St. Brigid, an ac- coporum." — Colgan's "Trias _ Thauma-
count given, regarding the foregoing inci- turga." Secunda Vita S. Brigidae. Pro-
dents, is somewhat different, and interpo- logus, p. 518.
lated, it would appear, with observations "3 See his Life at the 3rd of May.
and interpretations, not found in more an- "4 In the "Life of St. Brigid," by an
cient authorities. It is there said, that Ninnid. Irish Priest, it is stated, this event took
exiled himself, at the request of St. Brigid ; place, about the year 490, and probably in
that he went to Rome to visit the shrines the Church of Kildare. See chap, vi., p.
of the holy Apostles ; and, that he spent 74.
four years as a pilgrim, when he was warned "^ See the Italian "Breviarium Gienen-
by an angel of God to return into Ireland. sis," lect. ii., where it is said, Bishop Con-
This order he is said to have obeyed, finding leath was appointed by her to consecrate
St, Brigid, at the point of death, on his ar- churches, he having been taken from the
rival. Soon after, giving her Communion, desert.
the holy priest himself was gathered to his "° This is an opinion, entertained by Col-
fathers, See Quinta Vita S, Brigidse, cap. gan,
Ivii., Iviii., pp. 581, 582, idid. "7 p,y Dr. Lanigan.
"° As Cogitosus remarks. "° By Cogitosus.
!54 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i,
to account for this presumed anomaly. It has been conjectured — and with
every appearance of credibiHty — that, as the church of Kildare had been
built from funds supplied by the monastery, and as its community, besides
holding possession of a proprietory right and title, appears to have been at
the expense of providing requisites for religious worship ; it is only reason-
able to imagine, that the church, which was used as a cathedral, had been
under joint management both of the bishop and of the abbess. And this
supposition is furthermore confirmed, by what is related in St. Brigid's Life"^
where we read, that she bestowed some very costly vestments"^ which were
used by Conleath on the festivals of our Lord, and on those of the Apostles,
while engaged offering up the Divine Mysteries. "° It is almost certain,
however, that our saint, on account of her singular prerogatives and virtues,
exercised a special jurisdiction, and enjoyed an extraordinary pre-eminence,
over all the religious women of her day in Ireland."^ Not only Cogitosus,
but several other writers, will be found, applying epithets to St. Brigid, which
indicate her exalted station and superiority,"' at least in some correlative
sense. Thus, as the representative of Irish female religious, St. Brigid ranks
foremost ;"3 as St. Columkille represents the highest order of male mona-
chism, and as St. Patrick crowns the hierarchy ; so these sacred three are
united in popular veneration and in a supreme degree.
CHAPTER XI.
ST. brigid's benignity and prudence— rewards miraculously bestowed on the
POOR AND ON HER ENTERTAINERS — ST. HINNA— MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES — ST.
DARIA's SIGHT PARTIALLY RESTORED— FAITH IN ST. BRIGID'S INTERCESSION
JUSTIFIED.
The benignant Brigid regarded her religious daughters and her pupils with
true affection ; the servants and labourers, about her establishment, she in-
dulged as members of her own family.^ Seldom when correcting faults did
she use terms of reproach ; but, always considering the most practical means
for removing evil to be the healing of a sinner's soul, her action was deemed
more important than even her charitable direction or advice. She knew
"9 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La "' wSee ibid., Cogitosus or Secunda Vita
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida S. Brigidaj. In Prologo, and in cap. xxxvi.,
Ibernese." Libro Sesto, p. 539. pp. 518, 524. The Bishop of Ossory, in his
"° " Nam vestimenta transmarina et pere- "Dissertation on St. Brigid," has similar
grina Episcopi Conleath decorati himinis, remarks, in the commencement of his trea-
quibus, solemnitatibus Domini, et vigiUis tise, p. I. See Appendix Secunda ad Acta
Apostolorum sacra in altaribus ofiferens my- S. l^>rigida>., sec. xxxix., p. 608, ibid.
steria utebatur, pauperibus largita est." — "3 According to David Roth.
Cogitosus or Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap. Chapter xi. — ' Such is the account as
xxix., p. 522. Colgan's "Trias Thauma- furnished by the metrical panegyrist, in these
lurga.'^ lines : —
"' In the ** Breviarium Gienensis," it is
said, from all the provinces of Ireland, that ** Qualis erat pueris, famulis, hxc ipsa
a great multitude flocked to her monastery, puellis
" quod est caput pene Hiberniensium Eccle- Talis amore pio cunctis pulcherrima virgo
siarum, id est, Scotorum." Again: " Et Pauperibus fuerat et miseris, larga pu-
ipsa puellarum mater extitit, ut amborum pillis."
meritis Hiberniensis insula Christo devotis-
sime serviret," lect. i., iii. See idid. Ap- Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Sexta
pendix Prima ad Acta S. Brigidce, p. 601. Vita S. Brigidse, sec. v., p. 583.
February l] LIVES QF THE IRISH SAINTS \%%
how to compassionate the weakness of others.' She sought to repair im-
prudence and crime, without causing scandal or exposing the dehnquent.
An instance of such thoughtful interposition occurs, in the case of a certain
young person, bound by a religious vow.3 The result was a reward for that
merciful interference ; as the person became penitent.'* And, because all
things are rendered possible, on the ground of unwavering faith,5 so was the
life of St. Brigid daily illustrated by miracles. Thus, as various poor and
infirm creatures visited her, to have their several wants supplied, it happened
on one occasion, that she afforded relief to a person, who required the useful
condiment of salt, which was procured in a supernatural manner.^
The following two miraculous incidents, attributed to our saint, are thus
related. 7 While her mind was elevated to the contemplation of heavenly
subjects, as was her frequent habit, the things of earth were altogether for-
gotten. Such being the case, on a certain occasion, and most probably while
engaged about some culinary affairs, a dog removed a large piece of bacon.
When sought, this was not to be found, in its usual storing place ; but, after
a month had expired, it was discovered, whole and untouched, in the kennel.
That dog durst not eat this food, belonging to Brigid, and his natural
appetite, for so long a period, seemed restrained by some wonderful and
inexplicable intervention.^ In season and out of season, St. Brigid's bounty
had been taxed by the importunities of poor persons, and her charities
seemed exhaustless, while the fame of her miracles still caused many destitute
persons to approach her every day. Among these, a poor person, in need
of alms, had been sent by the saint to her servants, who were engaged in
cooking flesh-meat. Our saint directed that immediate relief should be
given to the applicant. While herself was present, one of holy Brigid's
servants, engaged in cooking, thoughtlessly threw9 a piece of undressed flesh-
meat, into the folds of her garments. ^° This the abbess brought to that poor
person, as an alms, while her white robe," was found to preserve its purity,
without a single speck or stain."
= See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber-
Irish Priest, chap, ix., p. 1 12. nese." Libro Sesto, pp. 514 to 516.
3 Cases somewhat similar are recorded in ^ Some of our Saint's Lives merely say,
a Life of St. Ailbe, at the 12th of Sep- that the cook threw it into the bosom of the
tember, and in a Life of St. Kieran of Saigir, charitable abbess ; but, this act of dis-
at the 5th of March. See Colgan's "Trias courtesy towards her, on the part of a
Thaumaturga." Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, servant, can hardly be credible. The Latin
n. 12, p. 526, and Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, word used, however, may admit of another
n. 60, p. 545, ibid. meaning; for "in sinu," may signify "in
* See this account, treated at more length, a fold." The Irish line, in the First Life of
in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La San- St. Brigid has it : —
titk Prodigiosa Vita di S. Brigida Iber- » \i^ot^t tro cneAr in ha hudc."
nese.' Libro Sesto, pp. 507 to 512. ' r 1 1
s See Hebrews, xi. In English : " boiled meat, which was cast
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." into her bosom."
Vita Prima S. Brigidae, sec. 20, p, 516. '° Where Cogitosus says, this man threw
Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. x., xi., pp. the piece of meat "in albatum ipsius sinu-
519, 520. Tertia Vita S. Brigid ae, cap. cv., atse vestis receptaculum," allusion seems
cvi., p. 540. This miracle is given, with made to her religious habit. This garment
additional particulars, in the Fifth Life. would appear to have fallen about the per-
Vita Quinta S. Brigidre, cap. xliv., p. 578. sons of herself and of her nuns, in graceful
In the Sixth Life, a miracle is recorded of a folds.
somewhat analogous character. However, " From the words of Cogitosus, allusion
this account does not appear applicable to is seemingly made to the white dress of St.
the narrative, alluded to in the text. See Brigid's order.
Vita Sexta S. Brigidre, sec. xxiv., p. 586. " See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
^ See Cogitosus, or Secunda Vita S. Bri- Vita Secunda S. Brigidte, cap. xv., p. 520.
gidoe, cap. xiv., p. 520, ibid. Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec, xxiii., xxiv., p.
^ See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La 516. Vita Tertia S. Brigidte, cap. cvii.,
t$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
In those primitive times, and when hospices were not numerous in
country parts, while St. Brigid and her nuns were engaged on missionary
visitations, they were frequently obliged to accept the hospitalities of very
humble people. ^3 It was on an occasion of this sort, while lodging with a
private family, a man, named Icessus, or Eccus, a poet, with his wife,^*
happened to sleep in the same house. The blessed abbess, at their request,
gave them her benediction. Afterwards, a renowned son, St. Echenus or
Etchen^s was born to the religious parents. ^^ During this visit, likewise,
Brigid was instrumental in having a stolen silver lunette,'7 restored to her
hostess, and in a miraculous manner.'^ This had been taken by a fugitive
servant-maid. ^9 An injustice of a still more objectionable character, sought
to be practised on an innocent woman,^° caused the latter to fly for refuge
towards St. Brigid's sanctuary. There she received a welcome, and the
property she lost was procured by a miracle.^^
The following miracle was wrought by St. Brigid, while lodging at the
house of a certain poor and pious woman.^^ The abbess had been engaged
on one of her religious missions. When evening overtook her travelling
over the extensive plain of Breg,''^ she entered the house of this poor woman,
to claim hospitality for that night. According to St. Brogan's Life of the
saint, this happened in the plain of Caoil.^'^ Holding out her hands in token
of welcome, the hostess joyfully and respectfully received Christ's holy
servant, with her nuns. She also gave thanks to God, for their happy arrival.
Having only one calf, it was immediately killed for the refreshment of those
guests ; but, having no wood to prepare a meal, the poor woman broke a
frame or distaffj^s which had been used for weaving stuffs. With its material,
she kindled a fire, and proceeded to cook some meat, showing a right good
will. After supper was over, passing the night in her accustomed vigils, holy
cviii., p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. Ixxvi., pp. 560,
ii., cap. Ixxvii., IxxviiL, p. 561. 561, and n. 20, p. 566.
*3 "En ce temps-la, les saints et les saintes ^9 She had also lived with the family,
s'en allaient par toute I'lrlande, evangelisant =° A young man had given into her charge
et prechant, edefiant les fideles par leur vertus a valuable silver vessel, which he afterwards
et par leur miracles." — L. Tachet de Bar- took away without her knowledge, thus hop-
neval's " Histoire Legendaire de Tlrlande," ing to make her his slave, when she failed
chap, viii., p. 78. to restore it. See Abbate D. Giacomo
^4 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who has Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di
a detailed account of this incident, calls him S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp.
a prince of Leinster " per nome Mario Eccea 524 to 529.
con la Principessa sua Moglie chiamata =" See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Briga." — "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di Prima Vita S. Brigidoe, sec. xxxvi., p. 517.
S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, p. 517. Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxvi., p.
's His feast occurs on the nth of Febru- 522.
ary. ^ This is related by Cogitosus.
"^ See his Life in Colgan's " Acta Sane- =3 Breg was the name of the plain, extend-
torum Hibernise," xi. Februarii. Vita S. ing between Dublin and Pontana Civitas.
EtchjBnii, pp. 304 to 306. Joceline writes ** in campo Breaghy specioso
^^ Abbate D. Giacomo Certani describes ac spatioso." Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap.
t as "vn certo suo adornamento fabricate xxxix., p. 73. See also. Vita Secunda S.
d'argento lauorato da industriosa mano, che Brigidoe, n. 13, p. 526. Colgan's "Trias
I'haueua condotto in forma d'vna Luna non Thaumaturga." Fontana Civitas is now
plena incastonandoui dentro ricchissime known as Drogheda. See, Mr. D'Alton's
Gemme." — " La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita " History of Drogheda," vol. i., p. I.
di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro .Sesto, p. =-* See also the Bollandists' " Acta Sanc-
522. A great number of those laminated torum," tomus i., Februarii. Vita iv. S.
lunettes — but chiefly in gold —are yet to be Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. x,, p. 170.
seen in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum. '■'=> This incident serves to reveal one of
'^ See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." the ordinary occupations of an Irish house-
Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. cxi., cxii., p. wife, in early times.
540, and nn. 61, 62, p. 545. Quarta Vita
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRI^H SAINTS. 157
Brigid arose early on the following morning. To reward the cheerful and
hospitable spirit of her entertainer, our saint caused another calf, like the one
that had been killed, to appear in similar shape. The cow is stated to have
received this young animal, as if it had been her own offspring. And, to the
hostess she presented an equally valuable weaving-frame, in every respect,
like that one, which had been destroyed. For, she would not allow this
hospitable woman to undergo any loss, in consequence of her charity. Then,
bidding farewell to her hostess and family, our saint happily and religiously
proceeded on her journey.*^
Truly wonderful are many of the legends, which have been recorded by
her biographers. Those, which serve to display her extraordinary charities,
are not the least numerous and strange. Brigid would have bestowed a large
quantity of silver on a religious, named Hymna or Hinna,=7 but this latter
refused to accept it. Hereupon, the pious abbess threw her offering into a
river,^^ through which it floated, to the cell of St. Hinna.='9 This miraculous
occurrences^ caused St. Hinna to accept the gift.3^ A man had been con-
demned to death, by a certain king's orders. Our saint interfered, in his
behalf, and entreated that his life might be spared.s^* At this moment, a
quantity of solid silver fell upon the bosom of Christ's compassionate servant.
This miraculous gift she at once gave the king,33 as a ransom for the unhappy
captive. The condemned man was liberated from death, in consequence of
such merciful interference, on the part of our saint. On another occasion,
St. Brigid divided her only cloak, between two poor persons, so that each
one of them received half of it. But fully to reward the wishes of the pious
donor, it pleased God to cause each of those poor persons to possess an
entire cloak.34 Other equally extraordinary incidents are related, throughout
our saint's Acts ; but, writers who record such incidents declare, that more
particular accounts are avoided to abbreviate their respective biographies.33
A more powerful ruler had driven a prince, who was a particular friend of St.
Brigid, from his principality. Our saint undertook to intercede with the
»* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " 3^ This narrative occurs in Abbate_ D»
Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii., p. Giacomo Certani's " La vSantitk Prodigiosa.
522. Vita Tertia S. Brigidoe, cap. cxiii., Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro SestOy
p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., pp. 547 to 549.
cap. Ixxix., p. 561. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, 33 Most likely, he was the king of Northern
cap. Iv., p. 581. Leinster, who, usually in St. Brigid's time,
=7 In the Third Life of St. Brigid, this resided in the Dun, at Naas. In an Irish
pious virgin is called Hinna, and in the Poem of Rev. Geoffrey Keating, translated
Fourth Life, Hymna. into English verse, by J. C. Mangan, we
^ This is said to have been the Liffey in find these lines : —
AbbateD. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitk
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." "The chieftains of Naas were valourous
Libro Sesto, p. 546. lords, but their valour was crushed by
=5 Colgan says, " sed Kinna seu Kinnia Craft—
videtur rectius legendum." He also re* Theyfell beneath Envy's butcherly dagger,
marks, that he is unable to find any Irish and Calumny's poisoned shaft,"
saint called Hymna or Hinna. But a St.
Kinna or Kinnia is venerated at the 1st of — "The Sorrows of Innisfail." John Mit*
February, according to the Irish Martyro- chel'seditionof" Poems, by James Clarence
logists. Colgan gives her acts, at the same Mangan." New York, 1859. 8vo.
day. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," 34 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "Li
i. Februarii. Vita S. Cinnias, pp. 234, 235. Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
3' It is said to have a Providential gui- Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 540, 541.
dance. 3S See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga.''
3' See Colgan's " Trias Thaumaturga." Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. Ixxxiii.j
Vita Quarta S, Brigidse, lib. ii., cap. Ixxxi., Ixxxiv., Ixxxv., p. 561. Vita Tertia S. Bri-
Ixxxii., and n. 21, pp» 561, 566. Vita gidse, cap. cxvii., cxviii., cxix., pi 541, 7^/«a
Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. cxvi., p. 541,
tsS LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
king, on behalf of the fugitive, so that this latter might be allowed to retain
his possessions ; yet, the potentate would not hear her, but rejected her
request. By a judgment from above, on this very same day, the king fell
out of his chariot, and died from the effects of his fall.36 At a time, when a
great multitude of persons came to visit her, and being unprovided with a
sufficiency of victuals for their refection, St. Brigid miraculously supplied
them with food. 37
The holy abbess had promised, at the hour of his death, to visit a certain
magus, who had offered his possessions to God.^^ Her promise was re-
deemed ; for, when the magus lay on his bed, expecting the approach of
death, he said to his family : " Get ready all things that are necessary on
this instant, because I see St. Brigid, clothed in white, with many others, on
their way to meet me." After such words, he received Christian baptism,
and being thus admitted within the true fold, he happily departed from life.
Nor could this person have been that magus, who fostered our saint, in her
young days ; since he appears to have been baptized, before his possessions
were given to Brigid. Still the matter, as related, may admit of a doubt
regarding his identity with the present magus. 39
No matter how far we may dissent from the details of various legendary
narratives, we must admit the spell of a charming treatment and a sublime
moral lesson in the following story, related almost in the words of an accom-
plished writer, alluding to St. Brigid.4° One evening, she sat with Sister
Dara, or Daria,*^ a holy nun, who was blind,^^ as the sun went down ; and
they talked of the love of Jesus Christ, and the joys of Paradise.'«3 Now,
their hearts were so full, the night fled away whilst they spoke together, and
neither knew that so many hours had sped. Then the sun came up from the
Wicklow mountains, and the pure white light made the face of earth bright
and gay. Bridget sighed, when she saw how lovely were earth and sky, and
while she knew that Dara's eyes were closed to all this beauty. So she
bowed her head and prayed. She extended her hand and signed the dark
orbs of the gentle sister. Then the darkness passed away from them, and
Dara^4 saw the golden ball in the east, while all the trees and flowers
3* See this narrative in Abbate D. Giacomo rum Ecclesiarum," pp. 626 et seq. " There
Certani's *' La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di was an Irish virgin ol that name and a com-
S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 549 panion oi St. Bngid at Kildare, who is men-
to 553» tioued in that same P^our.h Life, Z. 2, C.
37 See Colgan's ** Trias Thaumaturga." 89. But tlie author derives the name KiU
Quarta Vita S. Brigidas, lib, ii., cap. Ixxxvi., dave^ not from her, but from the oak. And
Ixxxvii., p. 561. Vita Tertia S. Brigid*, in the Third Life (cap. 47) it is called Cella
cap. cxxi., cxxii., p. 541. roboris." — Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
3^ The following narrative is given at more History of Ireland," vol. i., chap, viii., sec.
length in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La x., n. 119, p. 408.
Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida '♦Mt is said she was so from her birth.
Ibernese." Libro Sesto, pp. 553 to 557. *3 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's •' La
39 See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Santila Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xv., p. 528, Ibernese." Libro Sesto, p. 537.
cap. cxxiii., p. 541, n. 66, p. 545. Vita *♦ There are three saints called Daria,
Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii., cap. Ixxxviii., Dara or Daire, in the "Martyrology of
p. 561. Donegal ;" one a St. Daire, a virgin, vene-
<° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of rated at the 8th of August; another St.
the Saints," vol. ii., February i., p. 20. Daire, a widow, whose least occurs at the
■♦' Dempster has the extraordinary state- 28th of September ; and a third St. Daire
tnent, that Kildare was so called from the Bochanna, a widow, reverenced at the 2nd
relics of a Scotch woman, Daria, mother of November. See Drs. Todd's and Reeves'
of St. Ursula, and which had been brought to edition. Table of the Martyrology, pp.
Ireland. Ussher has thoroughly refuted this 398, 399. Yet, the present holy Dara may
Statement. See ♦* De Primordiis Britannica- be distinct from any of the foregoing saints,
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 159
glittered with dew in the morning Hght. She looked a little while, and then,
turning to the abbess, said : " Close my eyes again, dear mother, for when
the world is so visible to the eyes, God is seen less clearly to the soul." So
Bridget prayed once more, and Dara's eyes grew dark again. '♦s
Among many wonderful miracles, wrought through St. Brigid, it has been
observed,'^^ there was one very remarkable and great.'»7 This also was
generally known. A very large and lofty tree had been cut down, in the
woods, with an axe, and it had been destined for a certain purpose by arti-
ficers. It seems probable, the timber had been required for some building
purposes, in connexion with the holy abbess's religious establishment ; since,
thither it was brought, according to one account.^^ A number of strong
men and oxen, with suitable machines, were assembled to draw it towards
the destined place ; for, on being felled, it had settled in a position, from
which it could not be detached, without the utmost difficulty, owing to its
weight and peculiar shape. But, neither the men, oxen nor various machines,
by any exertion or application, could draw this tree from the spot, where it
rested. Trusting to the efficacy of firm faith, whereby mountains are moved,«
and all things become possible to those believing, according to Christ's words
in the Gospel,5° those present desisted from their efforts, and then invoked the
protection and assistance of St. Brigid. Afterwards, those labourers moved
the tree towards that place intended, without the least difficulty, and without
human aid. Such a wonderful miracle was soon divulged, throughout all the
provinces of Ireland.s^ So, she made man honourable in his labours, and
accomplished his labours. 5* By the splendid miracles she wrought, and by
the consummate sanctity of her life, she brought countless souls to the
following of Christ.
CHAPTER XII.
THE DISCIPLES Ot St. BRIGID— HER HOLY CONTEMPORARIES— SHE OBTAINS PARDON
FOR A MAN UNJUSTLY CONDEMNED TO DEATH— THE DROVERS AND SWINE ESCAPE
FROM WOLVES -ST. BRIGID PROTECTS A YOUNG LADY, WHO WISHED TO BE A
NUN— SHE RELIEVES THE ROAD-MAKERS— OTHER REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES.
Among the disciples, and honoured friends, specially patronised by the
illustrious Abbess of Kildare, may be enumerated her immediate successor
over the convent she had there founded, St. Darlugdacha. She survived
holy Brigid only for a short term. St. Lasrea or Laisre, who was Abbess of
Killaisre, St. Hynna or Kinnia, Virgin, St. Daria, Virgin, St. Blathnata or
Blatha, Latinized, Flora, cook to St. Brigid, St» Conlaidh, Bishop of Kildare,
St. Nennidius or Nennius, Bishop, St. Natfraicus or Nathfraich, her charioteer
and chaplain, are all numbered among those, towards whom she had acted
in the capacity of a Protectress.^ Another St. Brigde, of Killbride, belongs
■♦s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." o See i. Corinthians xiii., 2*
Vita Quarta S. Brigidas, lib. ii., cap. Ixxxix., so See St. Mark xi., 22, 23.
p. 561. Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. si See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.'*
exxiv., p. 541. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. cxxv., p. 541.
** By Cogitosus. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, libi ii., cap. xc.j
^7 See, the BoUandists' "Atta Sancto* pp. 561, 562.
him," tomus ii, Februarii. Vita ii., S. Bri- ^- See Wisdom x. 10*
gidae, cap. v., p. 139* CHAPTER XII.—' See Colgan's "Trias
*^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Thaumaturga." Appendix Quinta ad Acta
Vita Prima S. Brigidw, sec» xxxv., p. 517. S, Brigidae, cap. xiii., p. 623,
i6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
to this class. Besides the foregoing, we can hardly doubt, that the glorious
Patroness of Kildare had a very intimate acquaintance, with many of those
holy men and women, who are ranked among the disciples of the great St.
Patrick, as most of these were her contemporaries. Members of the Irish
Apostle's own family circle, who came from Britain, are likely to have been
a'mong her most devoted friends.
Our saint could hardly have known St. Auxilius,^ Bishop of Killossy,
now Killishee, not far from Kildare, unless, indeed, during the years of her
childhood, for he departed this life, so early as a.d. 460.3 Certain Arch-
bishops of Armagh, administering the affairs of this church and see, even
while the great Apostle of Ireland lived, such as St. Binan or Benignus, who
died, November the 9th,4 a.d. 468,5 and St. Jarlath who went to heaven,
February the iith,^A.D. 482,7 may have known and conversed with our
saint. Their position and office, as ruling over the Irish Church, and St.
Brigid's active services to religion, not in one particular district, but in
several places, far apart from each other, warrant the foregoing inference.
Even these survivors of St. Patrick in the See of Armagh, Cormac, who died
on the J 7th of February,^ a.d. 49 7,9 Dubtach I., who departed, a.d. 512'°
or 5r3;" and Ailild I., who died on the 13th of January," a.d. 525*3 or
526 ;'+ were probably accustomed to receive visits from St. Brigid, or to
correspond with her, regarding various obligations and duties of her subjects,
living in the different convents she had founded.
Several very eminent persons, living at her time, either visited or corres-
ponded with St. Brigid. Hearing about the fame of Gildas,'^ she sent a request
to him by a messenger, that he would be pleased to transmit a token, which
might often remind her of the donor's talents and sanctity. Gildas complied
with this request, and sent her a small bell, cast by himself. This memorial
our saint received with great pleasure. She attached more than ordinary
importance to his gift, owing to the circumstance of having received it, from
a person so remarkable and so holy.^^ It seems probable, that Gildas, at
this time, was a young man, and residing in the city of Armagh, where he is
said to have ably discharged the duties of a professor. Again, it may be
observed, the holy virgin, St. Brigid, must have been advanced in years, and
approaching the close of her mortal career, when she asked for and obtained
that much prized souvenir of friendship. In like manner, she must have
been in the decline of Hfe, when St. Brendan*7 of Clonfert paid her a visit, in
order to obtain instruction, on some religious questions. In the legend of
« See his Life at the 27th of August. " See his Life at that date.
3 According to Ussher's Index Chronolo- '3 gge Villanueva's " Santi Patricii, Ibcr*
gicus, p. 531. See "Britannicarum Eccle- norum Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opus*
siarum Antiquitates." cula," &c. Appendix vi., p. 384.
* See his Life at that date. '* See Rev. P. J. Carew's " Ecclesiastical
5 See Harris' Ware, vol. i., "Archbishops History of Ireland." Appendix, p. 405.
of Armagh," pp. 34, 35. 's See his Acts at the 29th of January.
^ See his Life at that day. "' '* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber*
1 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niaB," xxix. Januarii, p. 183.
nise," xi. Februarii. Vita S. lerlathei, sive ^^ See his Life at the i6th of May. In
Hierlatii, pp. 307, 308. Professor Bryan O'Looney's MS. Life of St»
^ See his feast at that day. Brigid, an interesting anecdote is told, that
9 See /3/t/,, xvii. Februarii. Acta S. Cor- St. Brendan, on acknowledging to her he
maci, pp. 358, 359. never crossed over seven ridges, without
" See Villanueva's " Sancti Patricii, Iber- thinking of God, learned in return from the
norum Apostoli, Synodi, Canones, Opus- devoted virgin, that from the first moment
cula," &c Appendix vi., p. 384. she had formed an idea of God, she never
"See Harris' Ware, vol. i., *' Arch* once diverted her attention from the sense
bishops of Armagh," pp. 36, 37, of His holy presence. See pp. 45, 46.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
i6i
his Acts, it is related, that he had this interview, after having returned from
Britain, whither Brendan had gone to see St. Gildas, in his monastery.
Even then, the fame of this latter holy man was very generally proclaimed.
While sailing back to Ireland, St. Brendan witnessed a wonderful portent at
sea, and he wished to have St. Brigid's explanation, regarding such a very
extraordinary occurrence.'^ No earthly affection or occupation ever caused
interruption of her thinking on God. This she confessed to St. Brendan, at
a spiritual conference, which took place between them. With Brigid's
exposition he was greatly edified. Then, bestowing mutual benedictions,
St. Brendan took leave of her, and proceeded on his way towards the Con-
naught province.
During his earlier career, St. Finian,'9 afterwards the holy Bishop of
Clonard, is said to have preached before St. Brigid and her religious
daughters. This must have happened near the close of her career.
St. Iserninus,^° at Kilcullen, most probably was intimate with our saint,
although in her Acts, no notice of him occurs. However, he was her con-
temporary,2i and his place, not far removed from Kildare, is at the present
Church of the Sacred Heart and of St. Brigid, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.
time happily marked by a very noble parochial church, of Gothic design,^
'S See " Acta Sancti Brendani." Edited
by Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran, D.D.,
Bishop of Ossory. Vita S. Brendani, cap.
Jfvii., pp. 16, 17.
'9 See his Life at the 12th of December.
=° This saint is considered by Colgan to
have been identical w^ith St. Sezin, whose
Acts are given by Albert le Grande, in his
Vol. II.
Lives of the Saints of British Armorica.
Those Acts have been reproduced, with
notes appended, in Colgan's "Acta Sanc-
torum Hibemise," vi. Martii. Vita S.
Sezini, pp. 477 to 479.
=' See his Life at the 6th of March.
== This was furnished by J. J. MacCarthy,
architect, of Dublin.
M
l62
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
and of exquisite proportions, which appropriately takes St. Brigid, the Mary
of Ireland, for joint patron, united with the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus
Christ. =^3 The venerable Iserninus died in the year 469.=+
St. Ailbe, Bishop of Emly,^5 visited St. Brigid, more than once, to receive
her opinions regarding matters of a spiritual nature, as her prudence and
judgment gave her a high character among all her contemporaries.'^ St.
Fiech, Bishop of Sletty, most probably held interviews with the holy Abbess
of Kildare, and he is reputed to have composed a hymn in her praise. He
seems to have outlived her for some years. St. Kieran,'7 the Patron Bishop
of Ossory, lived not far from Kildare, and most probably he had a personal
knowledge of St. Brigid ; for, he is thought to have survived her, and to
have lived, until the middle of the sixth century.'^ St. Tighernach, Bishop
of Clogher,'9 was the god-son of St. Brigid, while she resided at Kildare, and
the infant was baptized by St. Conleth.3° The foregoing would not nearly
exhaust a list of her pious and distinguished familiars, while the enumeration
and comparison of other names, with periods and places, might probably
add considerably to the completeness of her large social circle.
The saddest memorials of the world and of its fleeting pleasures are the
parted friends, who drop away from us to the grave, and who precede us
thither, while we travel to the same goal. It is not well known, as we have
already stated, how many of the ancient and patriarchal missionaries in
Ireland enjoyed the friendship and confidence of St. Brigid, besides those
specially mentioned in her Acts. Her early patron Mel, Bishop of Ardagh,3'
departed to bliss about the year 487. 3^ Cianan, Bishop of Duleek,33 followed
in or about the year 488.34 Bishop Maccaille,35 who gave the veil to our
holy abbess, died a.d. 489.36 Bishop Melchu or Maolchu37 most probably
departed this life, before the close of the fifth century.38 The illustrious
=3 This beautiful church has been erected
by the zealous and pious pastor, Rev.
Matthew P. Langan, P.P. of Kilcullen.
The first stone was laid by His Eminence
Paul CuUen, Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin,
on the 5 th of August, 1869; while, the de-
dication ceremony, performed by the same
venerated Prince of the Church, took place
on the 8th of September, 1872. The build-
ing material used on the exterior is TuUa-
more limestone, of the best description. The
interior is most elegantly furnished with
marble altars, and with details of architec-
ture or decorations, in a suitable style. The
church, towards the close of 1875, was per-,
fectly completed, both externally and in-
ternally, with the exception of the grand
tower and spire, to be joined to the nave,
by a cloistral entrance. The detached
building will represent the presbytery,
when completed, but, it has yet to be built ;
however, under direction of the energetic and
amiable pastor, we believe, this portion of
the work will not be long delayed. The
present engraving, by Mrs. Millard, is taken
from a carefully-executed lithograph of the
intended and complete architectural de-
sign.
''*' See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesi-
arum Antiquitates. " Index Chronologicus,
p. 522.
°s His Life occurs at the 12th of Sep*
tember.
=^ St. Ailbe is said to have died A.D. 541.
See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' ** Martyrology
of Donegal," pp. 246, 247.
'7 See his Acts at the 5th of March.
=^ See Dr. Lanigan's ** Ecclesiastical His«
tory of Ireland," vol. ii., chap, x., sec. 2,
and n. 31, pp. 8, 9.
»9 See his Life at the 4th of April. The
close of his life is set down at A.D. 548.
See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' ' ' Martyrology
of Donegal," pp. 94, 95.
3° See his Life at the 3rd of May.
3' See his Life at the 6th of February.
3' See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i,, pp. 152, 153.
33 See his Life at the 24th of November.
^ See ibid.
35 See his Life at the 25th of April.
3^ See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemi-
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. Annales UI-
tonienses, pp. 7, 8. By the compiler, he is
incorrectly styled, " Epi Mannensis."
37 Although some persons rank Saints Ere,
Mel and Melchuo, among St. Brigid's dis-
ciples, Colgan thinks, they ought rather be
accounted her directors. See '* Trias Thau-
maturga." Appendix Quinta ad Acta S.
Brigidoe, cap. xiii., p. 623.
38 See his Life at the 6th ot February.
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'63
Apostle of Ireland, St. Patrick,39 was called away to Heaven, it is said, about
A.D. 493. <° Mochaoij-^' Abbot of Mahee Island, died a.d. 496. St. Cormac,^^
Bishop of Armagh, and called, likewise, of Chrioch-in-Ernaidhe, departed
this life the same year. '♦3 St. Ibar<* or Iver died in the commencement of
the sixth century. 45 Cerban, a bishop of Feart-Cearbain, at Tara, died about
the same date/^ St. Brigid's friend the holy Bishop Broon, of Cuil-Irra, in
Connaught, died the 8th of June,-*? a.d. sii."*^ In the ninetieth year of his
age, on the 2nd of November, a.d. 512, or SiS'*^ died St. Ere, Bishop of
Lilcach, and of Fearta-fear-Feig,5° but better known as the Bishop of Slane,
and a particular friend of St. Brigid. This same year, Dubhtach, of Druim
DearbhjSi and Bishop of Armagh, departed this life. St. Mac Nissi, whose
feast is kept on the 3rd of September, died a.d. 514.^^ St. Darerca, or
Moninne,53 of Killeavy, died the 6th of July, a.d. 517.54
Some unreliable accounts have it,55 that the first Bishop of Kildare was
Lonius. A certain, or rather an uncertain, Ivorus, is stated to have succeeded
him. But, nothing trustworthy can be found, regarding the dates for their
appointment, or those terms, during which they held office. s^ Indeed, we
must more safely hold, that St: Conleth was the first prelate, called upon to
rule this ancient see-S7 He had lived a holy and anchoretical life at Old
Connell, where he edified all who noticed his habits in this place, chosen for
39 See his Life at the 17th of March.
4° See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 154 to 159.
4' See his Life at the 23rd of June.
4^ See his Life at the 1 7th of February.
^3 See ibid.y pp. 160, 161. See, also, Dr.
O'Conor's "Rerum Hibemicarum Scrip-
tores," tomus iv. Annales Ultonienses, p.
9.
<4 See his Life at the 23rd of April. He
was a disciple of St. Patrick. See Dr.
Todd's "St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland."
Introduction, pp. 215, 216.
« The " Annals of Ulster" have his death
at A.D. 499, 5CX) or 503. See Dr. O'Conor's
" Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tomus
iv., pp. 9, II. The "Annals of the Four
Masters" have A.D. 500 (See ibid., tomus
iii., p. 137) ; while those of Clonmacnoise
enter it, at a.d. 504. In William M. Hen-
nessy's " Chronicum Scotorum," the date
is a. d. 500. Seepp. 34, 35.
4^ The "Annals of the Four Masters"
enter his demise at A. D. 499 ; while, the
"Annals of Ulster" have it at a.d. 503.
Those of Tighernach state a.d. 504. See
Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum
Scriptores," tomus ii. Tigeraachi Annales,
p. 127. Also, tomus iv. Annales Ulto-
nienses, pp. 10, II. The "Annals of Clon-
macnoise" place it, also, at the latter year.
*7 See his festival at that date.
4^ See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol, i., pp. 166, 167.
49 See Abbe Ma-Geoghegan's "Histoire
de rirlande," tome i., partie ii., chap, ii.,
p. 286.
5° See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i,, pp. 166 to 168.
5' Dr. O'Donovan supposes this to be the
place called Derver, county of Louth.
5= See Dr. Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Anti-
quities of Down, Connor and Dromore."
Appendix T., p. 239.
53 St. Moninnia, with her disciples,
Saints Darlassara, Achea, Brecnata, Dim-
nata, and others, are ranked among St.
Brigid's disciples, by some writers. But
Colgan thinks, whatever may be said of the
rest, that St. Moninna must be considered,
rather as the mistress of our saint. See
the Irish Life of St. Brigid, cap. 33, 38 ;
St. Ultan's Life of St. Brigid, cap. 18, 44,
51, 78, 116, 124, 132; Animosus, lib. i.,
cap, 39, lib, ii,, cap. 19 ; the Martyrology of
Donegal, and of Marianus Gorman, at the
1st of February, 29th of January, and 2nd
of December, See " Trias Thaumaturga."
Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap.
xiii., p. 623.
5* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i,, pp. 168, 169. The
" Annals of Tigemach," however, have a.d.
513. See Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hiber-
nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii., p. 129.
55 An ancient register has been cited for
this statement, and for succeeding items
furnished by Richard Stanihurst, and by
Raphael Holinshed. See Holinshed's
"Chronicles of England, Scotland and
Ireland," vol. vi. "A treatise conteining
a plaine and perfect Description of Ireland,
with an Introduction to the better Vnder-
standing of the Histories apperteining to
that Hand :" compiled by Richard Stani-
hurst. The first chapter, p. 45.
56 See Sir James Ware, "De Praesulibus
Lageni8e,"p.42.
57 See Harris' Ware, vol. i.
Kildare," pp. 380, 381.
Bishops of
i64 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
his retreat. Yet, his missionary duties occasionally called him to mingle
with the world. The holy Conleth or Conlaedh, Bishop of Kildare, who
had been appointed to fill that office, at the instance of St. Brigid, departed
this life on the 3rd of May,58 a.d. 519.59 His fate must have proved
peculiarly distressing to the sensitive soul of £he illustrious abbess ; for,
after he had directed the ecclesiastical affairs of his see and her own religious
institute for several years, with great judgment and piety, probably during
one of his episcopal journeys, he was torn asunder by ferocious wolves.
Yet, his remains were in part recovered, and afterwards placed in a rich
shrine.^** It seems likely, that veneration, entertained for him by the tender
virgin, induced her to have that reliquary prepared, in course of the very
few years she survived. Those friends, parted on earth, were yet destined
soon to meet, and to enjoy the eternal rewards of Heaven. St. Buite Mac
Bronaigh of Monasterboice died on the 7th of December,^' a.d. 521.^" St.
Beoadh, Bishop of Ardcarne, departed this Hfe on the 8th of March,^3 a.d.
523.^4 St. Brigid may have known most — if not all — the foregoing saintly
persons, who were her contemporaries, and who, it seems likely, departed to
a better world, before she was called to her hg^py home beyond the grave.
Among those many miracles, wrought by St. Brigid, this following account
is deemed^s not unworthy of being recorded. A certain simple nistic^^ saw
a fox, belonging to a king.^7 This animal was straying one day, near the
royal residence. ^^ The countryman supposed it, at first, to have been a wild
denizen of the woods ; whereas, in reality, it had been domesticated and
trained to a variety of tricks, in order to amuse at his castle the king, with
his chiefs and attendants. Ignorant about its being a tame creature, the
rustic killed it,^9 in the presence of many witnesses. Immediately appre-
hended and brought into the king's presence, a serious charge was preferred
against him. The king felt very indignant, on learning what had occurred.
He declared, in a passion, that man must be put to death, while his wife
and children should be reduced to a state of bondage, and, moreover, that
his small property should be forfeited. The pious and venerable Brigid
heard about this transaction. She felt greatly grieved for the condition of that
unfortunate man, thus unjustly condemned to death ; but, her active charity
and natural benevolence of disposition urged her to make an appeal to the
monarch for mercy. Ordering her chariot to be yoked, and offering prayers
to God, she journeyed over the adjoining plain, on her way to the king's
castle.7° Her importunate and fervent prayers were heard by the Almighty,
58 Sec his Life, given at that date. St. Brigid, this rustic is called a clown of
59 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Brigid's people, and he is said to have
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 170, 171. been engaged cutting firewood. See pp.
^ This has been very particularly described 39, 40.
by Cogitosus. See Colgan's "Trias Thau- ^^ In the Fifth Life of our saint, he is
maturga." Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap. called the King of Leinster.
XXXV., p. 523. ^ It is somewhat amusing to read all the
** See his Life at this date. imaginative circumstances, with which
''See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Abbate D. Giacomo Certani contrives to
Four Masters," vol. i., pp. 170, 171. invest the relation of this incident, which he
'3 See notices of him at this date. found less complexly inserted in his original
•* See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Latin authorities. See " La Santiti Prodi-
niae/' viii. Martii. Vita S. Beoadi sive giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese." Libro
Beati, pp. 562, 563. In the " Annals of Quarto, pp. 287 to 295.
Boyle," the death of the two foregoing ^ See the account of this transaction in
saints is placed so early as A.D. 499. See Rev.S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints,"
John D'Alton's "History of Ireland, and vol. ii., February ist, pp. 19, 20. There,
Annals of Boyle," vol. ii., p. 75. however, the animal in question is said to
•^5 By Cogitosus. have been a tamed wolf.
^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of 7° From the description given, it is pro*
February i.] LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS.
165
who directed one of the wild foxes, in the wood to approach her chariot, at
a swift pace.71 This animal immediately entered the vehicle, and quietly
lay down there, nestling in the folds of our saint's garments. 7=* When the
pious woman arrived at the king's palace, she earnestly entreated, the captive
might be liberated from his chains, as he was not morally accountable for
that act committed. But, the king refused his pardon, and declared, more-
over, that the criminal should not be liberated, unless a fox, equal in cunning
and performances to that one he had lost, were restored to him. Then, our
saint set before the king and his courtiers the fox, which had accompanied
her in the chariot, and which appeared to rival the former one in domesticity,
tricks, and devices. Seeing this, the king was greatly pleased, and he imme-
diately ordered the captive's restoration to liberty, while the chiefs and multi-
tude present could not but applaud what they had witnessed. Yet, soon after
the poor man's liberation and pardon,'when St. Brigid returned to her home,
that presented fox, astutely mingling with the multitude, contrived to escape
once more to his den, in the woods, notwithstanding the pursuit of horsemen
and of dogs, over the open country, through which he fled. 73 All the people,
living in that part of the province, admired what had occurred, while greatly
venerating Brigid's sanctity and miraculous gifts. Her fame was daily on
the increase, and she was regarded as the special favourite of Heaven. 74
At one time, a certain rich man, living in a distant province, came to our
saint. Among other gifts, he offered her a present of some fat swine.75 This
man requested, also, that some of Brigid's servants might be sent back with
him, to drive those animals from his village, which lay "at a considerable
distance from her church. 7^ It was situated, according to one account, in
the plain of Femhin,77 in the Nandesii territory,?^ and in the province of
bable, this monarch resided at Naas — some
ten miles from Kildare. It is sometimes
called Nas-Laighean. See " Miscellany of
the Celtic Society." Edited by John
O'Donovan, LL.D. Appendix, n. (b), p.
357.
7^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. xxi., p. 521.
T^ The Rev. S. Baring-Gould, who relates
this occurrence, states, " there came a wolf
over the bog racing towards her, and it
leaped into the chariot, and allowed her to
caress it." " Lives of the Saints," vol. ii.,
February 1st, p. 20.
73 In the First Life, this incident is related
thus, in the Latin version : —
** Tradidit vulpem sylvestrem
Cuidam rustico egenti ;
Qui ab sylvam postea evasit
Quamvis eum persequebantur turmse."
— Vita Prima S. Brigidae, sec. xxxi,, pp.
516, 517. See, also. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae,
cap. cxxviii., p. 541. Vita QuartaS. Brigidse,
lib. ii., cap. xciii., p. 562.
74 This account is also contained in our
saint's Fifth Life, and in the usual diffuse
style, with adjunct circumstances, not found
in her other Lives. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae,
cap. xxxix., pp. 576, 577.
7SSee Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xx., pp.
520, 521.
76 In the Third Life of our saint, published
by Colgan, we read, "spatio itineris, 14
dierum ;" but, in a Carthusian MS. of
Cologne, we find, " trium vel quatuor die-
rum." The latter reading is more in accor-
dance with all other authorities, and with
the probable facts.
77 Otherwise called Magh-Feimhin, now
the barony of Iffa and Offa East, in the
south-east of Tipperary County. It was
the seat of the O'Donoghues, known as the
Eoghanacht of Cashel ; but, soon after the
English invasion, these were driven from
that territory, when they settled in Eogha-
nacht Ui Donnchadha, now Magunihy
barony, in the county of Kerry. See " The
Topographical Poems of John O'Dubhagain
and GiollanaNaomhO'Huidhrin." Edited
by John O'Donovan, LL.D., n. 523, p.
Ixii.
78 The Deise or Nan-desi, descended from
Fiacha Luighdhe, the elder brother to Conn
of the Hundred Battles. Having been ex-
pelled from Meath by Cormac Mac Airt,
they possessed that part of Munster, extend-
ing from the River Suir to the sea, and from
Lismore to Credanhead. They occupied the
eastern extremity of the present Waterford
county. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Leabhar
na g-Ceart, or, Book of Rights," n. (k), pp.
49, 50-
i66
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i
Momonia. The place is called Magh Fea,79 by St. Brogan Cloen.^^ Our
saint allowed her drovers to proceed with* the man, and after a day's journey,
they all came to a mountain district, called Grabor.^' Here, the man found
his swine straying, and at once he knew them to have been driven away by
wolves,^^ from his own far distant lands. But, when the servants of St.
Brigid went thither, by some wonderful instinct, and as it were, through a
reverence for the holy woman, the wolves departed, leaving those swine un-
harmed. The drovers, receiving their charge, conducted them safely through
vast woods and extensive plains, to the farm of their mistress. Here they
arrived, it is stated, on that day succeeding their departure, and the herdsmen
related all those wonderful facts which had occurred during their absence.^3
St. Brigid's great example drew other pious ladies to a cloistered life. The
daughter of a certain prince had devoted herself to God, by a vow of chastity.
But her father desired her to marry a husband of his choice. On the night
appointed for her nuptials, however, even when the marriage feast had been
prepared, this maiden fled from her parents, and took refuge with Brigid.^*
The following morning, the trembling fugitive's father pursued her, with some
horsemen. Seeing this cavalcade at a distance, the glorious abbess made a
sign of the cross. Then, all were fixed to the earth, until they had repented
of their evil intention. Afterwards, these horsemen were liberated from
their strange position. Thus was the protected lady delivered from a worldly
spouse, and united to a heavenly one, according to her own most earnest
desires. ^5
It so happened, on a certain occasion, a person needing it, applied to
Brigid for a measure^^ of honey. Whilst our saint felt acutely, that she had
79 Magh-Fea is identified with the present
barony of Forth, in the county of Carlow.
See O'Mahony's Keating's " History of Ire-
land," book ii., part i., chap, i., p. 421 and
n. 60. However, the real plain is probably
Magh-Feimhin.
^0 According to the Latin version, an ac-
count is thus given, in the First Life : —
** Porcum pinguem ipsi datum,
Per campum Magefea dictum (res prse-
clara)
Insecuti sunt lupi,
Usque dum effugiens veniret ad Hu-
achter Gabhra."
— Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga." Vita
Prima S. Brigidae, § xxx., p. 516.
^' Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who re-
lates these miraculous occurrences, states,
that this mountain separated the ancient
provinces of Meath and Leinster. See *' La
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida
Ibemese." Libro Sesto, p. 535. This
foreign writer, however, totally mistakes
the local position of Grabor — or rather
Huachter Gabhra — which seems to have
been somewhere near or within the present
mountain ranges of Slievemargy, between
the county of Kilkenny and Queen's County.
For some highly interesting expositions, re-
lating to Gabhran territory, the reader is re-
ferred to a learned contribution, "Topo-
graphical and Historical Illustrations of the
County and City of Kilkenny," by John
Hogan. See "Journal of the Kilkenny
and South-East of Ireland Archaeological
Society," vol. v. New series, pp. 234 to
251.
^* In those early days, such animals in-
fested our woods and wastes, and to them
might well apply the poet's lines : —
" Cruel as death, and hungry as the grave,
Burning for blood, bony, and gaunt, and
gi-im.
Assembling wolves in raging troops de-
scend,
And, pouring o'er the country, bear
along,
Keen as the north wind sweeps the glossy
snow.
All is their prize."
— James Thomson's " Winter."
83 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Tertia S. Brigidce, cap. cxxix. and n.
78, pp. 541, 545. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae,
lib. ii., cap. xciv., p. 562.
^'^ This account occurs in Abbate D.
Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese." Libro Sesto,
pp. 529 to 532.
"sSee, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. cxx., p. 541.
^^ In two of our saint's Lives, this * ' quan-
tum" is called a Sextarius, which was an
old Roman measure, holding something
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
no honey as a present for the applicant, suddenly, the hum of bees was
heard under the pavement of that house, in which she resided. ^7 When
that spot, from which the humming proceeded, had been examined, a
sufficient amount of honey, to relieve the petitioner's wants, was there found.
The man received as much as he asked from St. Brigid, and with joy returned
afterwards towards his home.^^
The following miracle, performed by St. Brigid, has been recorded.
Cogitosus precedes it with an account, which is of still greater interest, to
the Irish historian. The king, ^9 ruling over that part of the country, in
which our saint lived,9° had ordered the construction of a road, which should
be able to bear the driving of chariots, waggons and other vehicles, with a
large array of horse and foot, for purposes of a social, civil or military nature.
He commanded the inhabitants of all districts and territories, under his
sway, to be assembled, and to take part in such labour.?^ That road, he
intended to construct in a permanent manner. For such purpose, branches
of trees were used, and stones were placed for a substructure. Certain
trenches or mounds were formed through a deep and an almost impassable
bog,92 while they were brought through soft and marshy places, where a
large river93 ran. When various subject tribes and families had assembled,
the road was marked out in different sections, to be severally constructed,
by the clans or people, to whom those portions were respectively assigned.
But, when the difficult and intricate river-section fell to the lot of a certain
powerful clan, its labouring contingent sought to avoid this most onerous
part of the road-making. Compelled, by their superior force, St. Brigid's
weaker gang of workmen had to undertake that labour. The more powerful
clan unfairly selected an easier section, which was apart from the river.
Whereupon, Brigid's kindred94 came to her, and complained about the harsh
and unjust treatment received from their stronger rivals. Our saint told them,
that the river should move its course, from where they were obliged to work,
about our pint and a half. In Troy and ^5 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who re-
Avoirdupois weight, it is variously estimated, lates this incident, calls him the King of
as containing from eighteen to twenty-four Leinster, and localizes the road-making or
ounces. In Horace, allusion is made to embankment in "la ProvinciadiLabraide" —
"vini sextarius." See lib. i., Satirarum, but on what grounds may be questioned,
i. 1. 74. See " La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S.
^7 See Abbate D. Giacomo Celrtani's ** La Brigida Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 404
Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida to 408.
Ibernese." Libro Quinto, pp. 438, 439. ^o Most probably at Kildare.
*^ See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " 9^ " According to the ancient Irish annals,
Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xxx., p. and other fragments of Irish history, the
522. Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. cxxx., ancient Irish had many roads which were
p. 541. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae., lib. ii., cleaned and kept in repair according to
cap. xcv., p. 562. As usual, the foregoing law."— Dr. O'Donovan's " Leabhar na g-
miracle, related in Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, Ceart, or The Book of Rights." Intro-
cap, liv., p. 582, is amplified, with many duction, p. Ivi. Some very curious illustra-
additional details. It is possible, the follow- tions and an enumeration of several old roads
ing account may refer to the same incident ; follow, ibid., pp. Ivi. to Ix.
but, most probably, it relates to a different ^'^ Grunnce, Anglice, bo^s, are frequently
miracle : — mentioned in the Lives of our Irish saints.
93 This may have been the Liffy or the
" Medo erat ei oblatus Barrow.
Nee detrimenti quidquam passus est '* This, with other allusions in her Acts,
offerens : seems to indicate, that St. Brigid's family
Repertus est juxta ipsius domum belonged to Leinster, at least on her father's
Sine defectu vel augmento. " side.
95 See Colgan's ** Trias Thaumaturga."
Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec. xli., p. 517. Vita Secunda S. Brigidse, cap. xxxi., pp.
Bid. 522, 523.
i68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i
and should run through that section, chosen by their oppressors. On the
morning, when all were assembled for the work, it was found, the river left
its former bed, and that place, for which St. Brigid's friends had been
specially drafted ; while, its course ran near to that quarter, selected by the
numerous and powerful clan, who had thought to. circumvent and oppress
their weaker fellow-labourers. As a proof of this miracle, attributed to the
holy abbess, Cogitosus remarks, the deserted channel and empty valley,
which had formerly been filled with water, might be seen, in his time ; while,
the river itself flowed at some distance from this natural channel, but then a
dry and deserted hollow.9S Long after the illustrious saint's departure,
popular tradition preserved a recollection of the supernatural occurrence, and
associated it with some particular conformation of ground,96 which probably
has not yet disappeared. It seems not unlikely, a river not far from Kildare
and some contiguous boggy or low-lying land may afford a clue to discover
that dried channel.
Among the number of our saint's miracles, Cogitosus tells us, that the
following occurrence is not the least memorable. Three lepers, having asked
an alms from St. Brigid, received from her a silver vessel. 97 Fearing, how-
ever, that distributing the proceeds of this gift might prove a cause of con-
tention among them, our saint directed a certain man, accustomed to deal
in silver and gold, that he should divide the vessel into three equal parts.
One of these was to be the property of each leper. The dealer in precious
metals began to excuse himself, by saying, that he could not fairly execute
such a commission. Then, holy Brigid, taking the silver vessel, cast it
against a stone and broke it, as she intended, into three parts equally
valuable.93 Wonderful to relate ! when these three divisions were afterwards
weighed, no single fragment was found to be lighter or heavier than another,99
even in the slightest appreciable degree. Thus, without envy or quarrel,
these poor men returned joyfully to their homes. ^°°
We are informed, ^°^ that while the holy abbess and her nuns were en-
gaged in prayer, a certain rich nobleman suffered from a dangerous attack
of fever. ^°* Setting little account on his temporal possessions, at that time,
and being willing to perform a meritorious action, he desired his servants to
select and present the best cow from his herd, as a gift for our saint. His ser-
vants, however, selected the worst heifer, which could be found ; but, on the
^ See ibid. In the Third and Fourth Ponderatse erant illae partes per artificem:
Lives of our saint, the foregoing account is Et repertum est (ecce miraculum aliud),
greatly abridged. Vita Tertia S . Brigidce, Quod nulla pars inventa est
cap. cxxxi., p. 541. Vita Quarta S. Brigidos, Praeponderasse alteri."
lib. ii., cap. xcvi., p. 562. In the latter
lives, it is also stated, that the dry course of — Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sees, xxxix., xl.,
the river was to be seen at a time when the p. 517. See also a similar statement in
authors wrote. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. liv., pp. 580,
57 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La 581.
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida '9 Cogitosus adds, as it were parentheti-
Ibemese." Libro Quinto, pp. 436 to 438. cally, "licet uno obulo, de his inventa est
9^ This miraculous occurrence seems al- tribus partibus."
luded to, when we read, according to the '°° See- Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga."
Latin version of St. Brogan Cloen's original Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap, xxviii., p.
Irish : — 522.
"' In St. Brigid's "Sixth Metrical Life.
** Donarium argenteum, quod non potuit '°^ " Dives habebat opes aeger, quod per-
frangere deret auri,
Faber aerarius (quod prJEclarum erat Copiam & argenti, multarum pondera
Sanctse) rerum,
Fregit Brigida sua manu, Centones, stimulos, pecora, ac in-
Ut exsilJciit in tres partes sequales. gentia rura."
February i.] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 169
night following, the animal, thus selected, was killed by seven wolves. "3 in
the morning, those herdsmen not only found the heifer killed, in the midst of
other cattle, but even the dead bodies of those seven wolves were scattered
near the carcass, which they had not been able to devour. This remarkable
occurrence was long remembered in that part of the province. '"-^ Our saint's
great miracles were not alone famous in her own country ; for, with the
lapse of time, Brigid's name became celebrated through all nations, where
the Christian faith had been received.
CHAPTER XIII.
ST. brigid's reputed residence at GLASTONBURY— the EARLY PRACTICE OF WRITING
AND ILLUMINATING IN IRELAND— WRITINGS ASCRIBED TO ST. BRIGID — THE CON-
VENTUAL RULE AND DISCIPLINE, UNDER WHICH HERSELF AND HER NUNS LIVED
— HER CHARITY IN RELIEVING THE POOR— HER MODESTY, HER SELF-SACRIFICING
SPIRIT, HER LIBERALITY, HER GIFTS OF MIND AND PERSON, HER POWERS FOR
HEALINC? THE SICK AND INFIRM, HER VIGILS, AND HER CARE FOR SUBJECTS.
We cannot receive as duly authenticated, or even as probable, several
assertions of mediaeval and more recent writers, who have treated concerning
this illustrious virgin. It has been stated, that about the year 488, Saint
Brigid left Ireland, and proceeded towards Glastonbury.^ There, it is said,
she remained, until advanced in years, on an island, and convenient to the
monastery in that place.^ Whether she died there or returned to Ireland is
doubted. 3 But, it seems probable enough, such a tradition had its origin,
owing to this circumstance, that a different St. Brigid, called of Inis-bridge,
or of Bride's Island, had been the person really meant. She lived many
years on a small island, near Glastonbury, called Brides-hay, i.e., BrigidcB
insula.'' This latter St. Brigid is said to have been buried, at Glastonbury.s
Another cause for a grievous mistake, about St. Brigid's and St. Columkille's^
*°3 These animals appear to have been very = Colgan, referring to this fable, remarks
numerous in Ireland, as also to have been ontheignoranceof that vi^riter, who assigned
destructive to human beings and to domes- the burial-place of these aforesaid saints
ticated animals. At so late a period as the to Glastonbury. This city never contained
beginning of last century, some wolves were the bodies of our St. Brigid, nor of St.
to be found. In Ulster, the last wolf known Columkille, Abbot and Confessor. The
to exist was hunted from Benyevanagh latter is even ignorantly named, Colum
mountain, in Londonderry county, and it Killa, after such a manner, as to indicate a
was killed in t